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Full text of "Company K, Twentieth regiment, Illinois volunteer infantry; roster and record, April 24, 1861-July 16, 1865"

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^ 


r 


April  24,  1861. 


July  16,  1865. 


COMPANY   K, 


Twentieth  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 


ROSTER   and    RECORD, 


._\  ^^S-v^;-     B^OX^iT. 


YORKVILLE,    ILL. 

Kendall  County  Record  PRjiyV 
1894. 


PREFACE, 


\  T  the  last  annual  reunion  of  the  association  of 
^^^  the  survivors  of  the  20th  Illinois  Regiment,  held 
in  Chicag-o  September  8, 1893, 1  was  assigned  the  duty 
of  preparing-  a  roster  of  Company  K.  This  little  pub- 
lication is  the  result  of  my  efforts  to  perform  that 
duty.  It  is  intended  for  the  surviving-  members  of 
the  Company  and  their  descendants,  for  relatives  and 
friends  of  deceased  members  and  for  all  others  into 
whose  hands  it  may  chance  to  come,  who  are  inter- 
ested in  learning-  about  the  men  who  foug-ht  and  won 
battles  that  secured  to  America  liberty  and  union. 

ANDREW  BROWN. 
Newark,  Ii.i,inois,  June,  1894. 


^^f-/^-  55018 


ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 


REUBE^N  F.  DYER,  M.  D.,  Ottawa,  111. 

Born  at  Strong-,  Franklin  county,  Maine.  Volun- 
teered at  Newark,  111.,  April  15,  1861.  Was  elected 
Captain.  Commanded  Company  at  Fredericktown, 
Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donelson.  Resigned  commis- 
sion as  Captain  of  Company  K  March  13,  1862,  at 
Pittsburg-  Ivanding-,  Tennessee,  with  view  of  obtain- 
ing a  position  in  the  line  of  his  profession.  August 
25,  1862,  was  commissioned  Surgeon,  104th  Regiment, 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  commission  he 
held  till  close  of  war,  and,  at  close  was  acting  Medi- 
cal Director  14th  Army  Corps,  General  Jefferson  C.  Da- 
vis commanding.  Has  practiced  medicine  at  Ottawa 
since  1865.  For  a  number  of  years  a  member  of  U. 
S.  Board  E^xamining  Surgeons.  Is  not  a  pensioner. 
A  republican.     A  Methodist. 

BENJAMIN  OLIN,  Joliet,  111. 

Born  in  State  of  New  York.  Volunteered  at  New- 
ark, 111,,  in  April,  1861.  Elected  Orderly  Sergeant  of 
Company.  May,  1861,  commissioned  First  Lieuten- 
ant. Served  with  Company  in  Missouri  till  Novem- 
ber, 1861,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health. 
Has  been  in  the  practice  of  law  since  1862.  At  pres- 
ent County  Judge  of  Will  county,  111.  Is  not  a  pen- 
sioner. Has  never  applied  for  a  pension.  A  liberal 
democrat.     A  Methodist. 


4  •  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

JOHN  N.  BOYER,  Normal,  111. 
Born  in  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania.  Volunteer- 
ed May  10,  1861,  at  Newark,  111.  Discharged  Febru- 
ary 15,  1864,  on  account  of  wound  received  at  Vicks- 
burg.  Was  appointed  Orderly  Sergeant  June  13, 
1861.  Commissioned  2d  Lieutenant  January  22, 1862  ; 
Captain  March  13,  1862. 

AT  SHILOH. 
On  April  6,  1862,  had  mumps  very  badly,  and  had 
neck  wrapped  with  red  flannel.  Nevertheless,  went 
out  in  command  of  the  Company.  Had  sword  struck 
by  a  missile  and  bent  nearly  double,  and  received  two 
slight  wounds  in  the  face.  At  noon  was  compelled  to 
retire  from  the  Company.  When  going,  several  of 
the  boys  turned  over  their  pocket-books  to  him  for 
safe  keeping.  Joined  us,  and  took  command  of  the 
Company,  at  daylight  the  next  morning  and  was  in 
all  the  second  daj^'s  fighting. 

AT  BRITTON'S  LANE. 
On  September  1,  1862,  was  indisposed  and  was  rid- 
ing in  an  ambulance  with  Assistant  Surgeon  Bailey 
■and  Chaplain  Button.  When  first  shots  were  heard 
at  Britton's  Lane  he  jumped  out,  buckled  on  his 
sword  and  asked  Dr.  Bailey  to  give  him  a  strong  dose 
of  whisky  and  quinine  and  then  went  forward  on  a 
run  to  take  charge  of  the  Company.  This  is  a  true 
story,  because  Chaplain  Button  tells  it. 

AT  VICKSBURG. 
On  May  22,  1863,  while  in  command  of  the  Company 
at  Vicksburg  he  was  shot  in  the  foot.  On  this  occa- 
sion he  lost  his  sword  that  had  been  battered  at  Shi- 
loh  ;  also,  most  of  his  other  personal  eifects.  He  was 
discharged  on  account  of  this  wound  and  receives 
pension  therefor  at  the  rate  of  twenty  dollars  a 
month. 


COMPANY    K,    TWENTIETH    ILLINOIS.  O 

A  MAN  OF  PEACE. 
Since  war  has  been  teacher,  farmer,  business  man 
and  cattle  man  in  thfe  West,  Is  broken  in  health. 
Rheumatism  and  other  debilities.  Sa3's  he  can't 
work  much.  We  understand  he  does  not  have  to.  In 
one  sense  of  the  word  it  is  supposed  he  is  well-heeled, 
althoug-h  in  another  sense  it  is  certain  he  is  very 
badly  heeled.  In  religion  a  Methodist ;  in  politics  a 
radical  republican. 

PERRY  W.   SPELLMAN,  Fellowship,  Florida. 

Born  in  Pittsford,  Monroe  county,  New  York,  Vol- 
unteered April  24,  1861,  at  Newark,  111.  Mustered 
out  July  16,  1865,  by  reason  of  close  of  war.  Was 
appointed  Serg-eant  in  May,  1861.  Detailed  on  re- 
cruiting service  from  December,  1861,  to  June,  1862. 
Was  Orderly  Sergeant  for  a  few  months,  then  reduc- 
ed to  the  ranks  and  detailed  as  acting  Hospital  Stew- 
ard and  dispenser  of  medicine.  Was  commissioned 
First  I^ieutenant  March  2,  1863,  and  Captain  Febru- 
ary 23,  1865. 

On  May  12,  1863,  during  our  desperate  struggle  be- 
hind the  rail  fence  at  Raymond,  Comrade  Spellman 
had  the  command  of  the  Conipan}^  Near  the  close 
of  that  battle,  when  our  lines  were  advancing  through 
the  woods,  he  was  hit  in  the  side  by  a  bullet  and  dis- 
abled for  a  time.  From  May  22,  186"^  he  commanded 
the  Company  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and 
continued  in  command  till  the  latter  part  of  the  siege 
of  Atlanta.  Was  on  detached  service  as  acting  assist- 
ant Quartermaster  3d  Division  17th  Army  Corps, 
from  October,  1864,  till  final  muster  out. 

Since  the  war  has  mostly  followed  business  pur- 
suits. Has  lived  in  Illinois,  in  South  Dakota,  and  is 
now   in   Florida.     On    December   25,  1893,  he    wrote 


6  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

thus  :  "  I  came  to  Florida  in  January,  1890,  and  will 
probably  spend  the  remainder  of  my  days  here.  The 
climate  is  much  more  agreeable  to  me  than  that  of 
the  chilly  North.  Roses  in  full  bloom  and  fresh  veg-- 
etables  for  the  table  all  winter."  Pensioned  for  dis- 
ability incurred  in  the  army. 

FAAGUST  ANDERSON, 
Westport,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota. 

May,  1861-August  1, 1862.  Born  in  Sweden.  Came 
to  America  in  1852.  Twenty  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Was  shot  in  wrist  at  Shiloh  and  discharged  because 
of  wound.  Enlisted  in  another  regiment  in  August, 
1863,  and  mustered  out  in  December,  1865,  on  account 
of  close  of  war.  Is  pensioned  at  rate  of  ten  dollars  a 
month  for  wound  received  at  Shiloh,  and  other  disa- 
bilities. Has  been  farming  since  the  war.  Is  a  re- 
publican, but  not  a  church  member. 

CHARLES    BACON, 

Clinton,  Oneida  County,  New  York. 

April,  1861-July,  1865.  Born  in  Paris,  Oneida 
county.  New  York.  Thirty-three  years  old  when  en- 
listed. Pensioned  at  rate  of  eight  dollars  a  month 
for  disability  incurred  in  army.  Pension  granted 
December,  1893.  Votes  the  republican  ticket  as  often 
as  he  has  a  chance  to  do  so,  but  in  religion  is  not 
very  particular.  Just  goes  to  whatever  church  is 
handiest. 

JAMES  BARROWS,  Newark,  111. 

April,  1861-July  24, 1862.  Born  in  Perry,  Wyoming 
county.  New  York.  Was  twenty-six  years  old  when 
enlisted.     Pensioned  at  twelve  dollars  a  month.     Is  a 


COMPAXV    K,    TWENTIETH    ILTINOIS.  / 

painter.  A  member  of  Baptist  church.  A  republi- 
can. "Was  in  the  ranks  of  Company  K  at  Frederick- 
town,  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh. 


MARTIN  BISSEIvIv,  Piano,  111. 

May,  1861-October  3,  1862.  Born  in  Addison  coun- 
ty, Vermont.  Twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Slig-htly  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson.  At  Shiloh  was 
struck  with  fragrnent  of  bursting- shell  Sunday  morn- 
ing-, in  reg-ion  of  hip,  while  reg-iment  was  executing- 
a  retreat  after  first  eng-ag-ement  with  the  enemy. 
Soon  afterwards  was  struck  in  thig-h  with  spent  ball, 
and  later  in  the  battle  had  part  of  right  thumb  nail 
knocked  off  and  bayonet  scabbard  cut  by  another 
ball.  At  Britton's  L^ane  was  shot  in  right  shoulder  ; 
was  discharged  because  of  this  wound,  and  draws 
pension  therefor  at  the  rate  of  eight  dollars  a  month. 
Since  discharged  has  been  eng-aged  in  agricultural 
and  mechanical  pursuits.  A  republican.  A  Meth- 
odist. 

ANDREW  BROWN,  Newark,  Illinois. 

April,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  of  Irish  parents, 
in  Kendall  county.  111.  Seventeen  years  old  when 
enlisted.  Did  not  go  with  Company  froin  Newark  to 
Joliet  on  Saturday,  May  11,  1861,  because,  on  that 
morning,  clothes  and  other  necessaries  were  missing, 
but  the  next  day,  being  fairly  equipped,  he  started 
on  foot  for  Camp  Goodell,  east  of  Joliet,  at  10  o'clock 
a.  m.  and  reached  destination  at  4  p.  m.  Was  farther 
away  from  home  then  than  he  had  ever  been  before 
in  his  life.  Had  made  a  march  of  nearly  thirtj'  miles 
in  six  hours,  but  was  in  very  "light  marching  order." 
Was  not  encumbered  with  a  single  stiperfluous  arti- 
cle.    When   he   reported  in   camp.  Lieutenant  Wat- 


8  ROSTKR    AND    RRCORD. 

son  ordered  the  Company  to  form  ranks  and  then 
called  for  three  cheers  for  the  boy  they  left  behind 
them.  From  the  day  he  left  home  till  he  returned,  a 
period  of  more  than  three  years,  this  volunteer  never 
slept  in  a  bed  nor  sat  at  a  table  to  eat  a  meal  of 
victuals.  Was  never  on  detailed  duty,  never  strag- 
g-led  from  the  ranks  and,  while  a  soldier,  never  miss- 
ed a  march,  campaign,  skirmish  or  battle,  except 
when  wounded  and  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  When  long  roll  was  beat  Sunday  morning 
at  Shiloh,  he  had  his  gun  off  the  stock  and  was 
swabbing  out  the  barrel  in,a  pail  of  water.  Was  un- 
der arrest  and  in  guard  house  once  only.  Charges 
preferred  were  "  committing  depredations  on  private 
property-. ■'  The  "depredation"  consisted  of  milking 
a  cow  in  canteen.  Read  the  New  Testament  through 
three  times  in  the  arm}-.  Has  the  little  volume  yet 
which  Chaplain  Button  presented  in  May,  1861. 
It  has  been  out  in  many  a  storm  and  is  badly  soaked 
and  soiled.  AVas  slightly  wounded  at  Britton's  Lane. 
Was  shot  twice  through  leg  at  Raymond  and  cap- 
tured by  the  enemy.  A  prisoner  for  two  months. 
Since  discharged  has  been  student,  teacher,  lawyer, 
farmer.  Has  never  been  greenbacker,  free-silver 
man  nor  protective  tariff  man.  Is  a  democrat,  but 
has  inuch  regard  and  respect  for  prohibitionists.  In 
relisfion  liberal.     Catholic  rather  than  Protestant. 


JOHN  CAREY,  Blackstone,  111. 

May,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  I^imerick,  Ire- 
land. Came  to  America  in  November,  1860.  Was 
twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted. 

The  preliminary  skirmishing  of  an  impending  bat- 
tle always  acted  like  a  tonic  on  this  comrade,  and  he 
was  never  known  to  be  out  of  condition  whenever  a 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH    ILUNOIS.  9 

battle  was  on.     Was  as  g-ood  a  soldier  as  ever  foug-ht 
under  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

Captured  July  22,  1864,  near  Atlanta,  and  confined 
in  Confederate  prisons  for  nearly  seven  months. 
Finally  escaped  and  reached  Union  lines  near  Wil- 
ming-ton,  N.  C  ,  February  22, 1865.  Pensioned  at  rate 
of  twenty  dollars  a  month  for  disabilities  incurred  in 
Andersonville  Prison.  Is  a  bachelor — to  me  it  is  an 
utterly  unaccountable  fact  that  so  cong-enial  a  soul 
as  John  Carey  should  choose  to  live  alone  in  life. 
Some  g-irl  may  capture  him  yet.  His  widow  would 
probably  receive  a  nice  pension  when  John  is  g-one. 
Comrade  Carey  claims  that  he  votes  the  republican 
ticket,  althoug-h  he  is  a  true  Irishman  and  a  g-ood 
Catholic.     He  did  not  reply  to  mj-  letter  of  inquiry. 

CHARLES  CIvAYTON, 
26  Union  St.,  Wakefield  Road,  Stalysbridg-e,  Lanca- 
shire, Eng-land,  Europe. 
April,  1861-July  25, 1862.  Born  in  Eng-land.  Draws 
pension  at  rate  of  eig-ht  dollars  a  month  for  disabili- 
ties incurred  in  service.  Enrolled  at  Washington,  D. 
C,  Ag-ency.     Certificate  No.  411,108. 

FRANKLIN  CLIFFORD,  Seneca,  111. 
April,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri. Twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted.  Receiv- 
ed some  slig-ht  wounds.  There  was  no  discount  on 
this  comrade's  fig-hting-  qualities.  I  remember  that 
very  distinctly.  Was  captured  near  Atlanta  July  22, 
1864.  A  prisoner  seven  months  and  ten  days.  Ex- 
chang-ed  at  Wilming-ton,  N.  C,  March  1,  1865.  Is 
pensioned  at  twelve  dollars  a  month  for  disabilities 
incurred  in  service.  Is  a  laborer.  He  writes  thus  : 
•'  I  always  vote  the  republican  ticket.  I  suppose  I 
oug-ht  to  be  a  relig^ious  man,  but  I  am  not." 


10  ROSTER    AND    RKCORD. 

ANDERSON    CONNER, 

No.  2219  Messanie  St.,  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 

June  9,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  Hunterdon 
countj',  New  Jersey.  Eig-hteen  years  old  when  en- 
listed. Wounded  at  Raymond  and  captured.  Sent 
to  Ivibby  prison.  A  prisoner  only  seventeen  days. 
Was  then  paroled  and  sent  to  St.  Ivouis  to  await  ex- 
change. Remained  at  St.  Louis  nearly  four  months. 
Was  then  exchang-ed  and  served  with  Company  K  to 
close  of  war.  Is  pensioned  at  rate  of  ten  dollars  a 
month  for  disabilities  incurred  in  the  service.  His 
paternal  g-randfather  was  in  the  Revolution  and  war 
of  1812.  He  says  he  has  two  big  boj^s  that  mig-ht  do 
for  soldiers  if  they  were  drafted  and  put  under  guard 
where  they  could  not  run. 

From  1867  to  1893  lived  in  Wisconsin  ;  was  eng-aged 
in  lumbering-  and  farming",  but  did  not  make  a  for- 
tune. In  June,  1893,  went  to  Dwight,  111.;  stayed 
there  two  months,  then  went  west  to  take  a  new  start 
in  life. 

JAMES  COYEE, 
St.  Eouis,  Missouri,  No.  624-626  Washington  Ave- 
May,  1861-July  16, 1865.  Was  captured  near  Atlan- 
ta July  22,  1864,  and  confined  in  Confederate  prisons. 
Escaped  and  recaptured  in  woods  with  dogs.  Escap- 
ed again  and  succeeded  in  reaching  the  Union  lines 
after  traveling  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles.  Was  wounded  in  trenches  at  Vicksburg.  Is 
pensioned  for  wound.  Was  a  very  determined  and 
resolute  fig-hter  in  battle.  Since  war  has  been  in 
business  and  has  been  successful.  Is  probably  a 
democrat.  Has  a  democratic  name  and  lives  in  a 
democratic  State.  Did  not  answer  my  letter  of  in- 
quiry. The  facts  here  given  are  from  previous 
knowledge. 


COMPANY    K,    TWENTIETH    lELINOIS.  11 

Since  writing-  the  foreg-oing-  I  have  received  a  let- 
ter from  this  comrade.  He  was  not  mustered  out 
with  the  reg-iment  in  July,  but  was  retained  in  ser- 
vice by  special  order  of  War  Department  and  mus- 
tered out  September  26,  1865,  at  I^ouisville.  Was 
shot  through  the  right  hand  in  front  of  Fort  Hill, 
Vicksburg,  May  21,  1863.  When  captured  near  At- 
lanta July  22,  1864,  he  was  sent  to  Andersonville. 
On  September  11,  1864,  while  in  transit  from  Ander- 
sonville to  another  prison  he  and  George  Wilson  of 
Company  K  escaped  from  the  cars  at  midnig-ht  and 
were  out  fifteen  da3's.  Traveled  at  nig-ht  and  lay  in 
concealment  during-  the  day.  Were  finally  captured 
and  confined  in  a  common  prison  at  Aug-usta,  Ga., 
for  three  weeks.  Was  then  sent  to  the  new  prison  at 
Millen.  Was  there  only  one  day  when  he  escaped  for 
the  second  time  with  a  soldier  of  the  Fifteenth  Ohio 
reg-iment.  Was  out  the  second  time  only  eleven  days 
and  was  ag-ain  captured,  and  again  taken  to  Augus- 
ta ;  was  there  two  days  when  he  made  a  third  escape 
with  a  Pennsylvania  soldier.  "After  twenty-one 
"days  by  constant  nig-ht  travel,  we  reached  Sher- 
"  man's  army  at  Atlanta." 

In  politics  a  republican  ;  in  religion  a  Presbyterian. 

JEROME  B.  DANN, 
DeWitt,  Saline  County,  Nebraska. 
June  4,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  Penns^-lvania. 
Seventeen  years  old  when  enlisted.  Captured  near 
Atlanta  July  22, 1864.  A  prisoner  for  several  months. 
Escaped  and  recaptured  in  the  woods.  Since  the  war 
has  followed  contracting-  and  building-,  and  is  at  it 
yet  to  some  extent.  Health  is  quite  unsatisfactory. 
Draws  pension  at  rate  of  twelve  dollars  a  month. — 
Has  been  connected  with  Cong-reg-ational  church  for 
twenty   years.     Has    always   been  a  republican  and 


12  ROSTER   AND   RECORD. 

expects    to    die  a  republican.     You   may    live  a  long- 
time yet,  Jerome. 


RUDOLPH   FAVREAU, 

West  New  Brig-hton,  Richmond  County,  N.  Y. 
May,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  in  Germany.  Thir- 
ty-five years  old  when  enlisted.  Was  the  company 
fifer.  Rudolph  writes  thus:  "  Ich  bin  68  Yahre  alt. 
''  Kam  nach  Amerika  1858,  und  bin  ein  Gartner.  Ich 
"  leide  an  Reimatismus  und  kan  g-arnicht  mehr  ar- 
"  beiten  und  muss  nun  von  meine  Pension  leben  von 
"$12  monathlich.  Auszerdem  g-ehore  ich  zuder  G.  A. 
"  R.  Post,  No.  545,  Port  Richmond.  Ich  belange  zu  der 
"  Deutsche  Kirche." 

JOHN  T.  GRAY, 

Blairsville,  Indiana  County,  Pennsylvania. 
April, 1861-July  14,1864.  Twenty-one  years  old  when 
enlisted.  Re-enlisted  soon  after  discharg-e  from  Com- 
pany K  and  served  one  year  in  U.  S.  veteran  reserve 
corps.  Is  not  in  g-ood  health.  Pensioned  at  rate  of 
$4,00  a  month  for  rheumatism  contracted  in  the  ser- 
vice. Since  the  war  has  done  a  little  of  a  great  many 
different  things.  When  a  boy  he  associated  himself 
with  the  republican  party  in  the  days  of  Fremont 
and  Dayton,  and  has  never  had  just  cause  or  provo- 
cation to  change.  Just  now,  December,  1893,  he  sees 
a  blanked  sight  less  cause  to  change  his  opinion  than 
ever.  In  religion,  a  free  thinker,  he  professes  that 
he  is  not  a  Christian.  He  does  not  want  to  become 
a  Christian  and  does  not  want  to  be  classed  as  such. 
Has  wife  and  happy  family,  owns  the  roof  above 
them  and  lives  contentedly.  Has  never,  since  his 
discharge,  seen  a  single  Company  K  man  and  but 
one  man  of  the  regiment. 


COMPANY   K,   TWENTIETH   ILI.INOIS.  13 

SAMUEL  HAGERMAN,  Yorkville,  111. 
June  1,  1861- Julj'  16,  1865.  Born  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Pennsjdvania.  "Was  twenty-seven  years  old. 
when  enlisted.  At  battle  of  Shiloh  Samuel's  g^un 
was  knocked  to  pieces  by  some  kind  of  a  missile.  At 
Raymond  he  was  shot  in  the  shoulder  and  leg-,  and  in 
the  Georg-ia  campaig-n  had  a  finger  shot  off.  Receives 
pension  for  wounds  at  rate  of  eight  dollars  a  month. 
Member  of  Presbj^terian  church.     A  republican. 

NICHOIvAS  HANSON, 
Battle  Creek,  Ida  County,  Iowa. 
May  8, 1861-July  16,1865.  Born  in  Schoharie  coun- 
ty. New  York.  He  says  he  was  only  seventeen  years 
old  when  he  enlisted.  Was  wounded  July  21,  1864, 
near  Atlanta.  Draws  pension  for  wounds  at  rate  of 
four  dollars  a  month.  Is  farming  now  and  has  been 
most  of  the  time  since  the  war.  Is  a  Presbyterian. 
Votes  the  republican  ticket  under  all  circumstances. 
Is  willing  to  support  anything  the  party  puts  up. 
"If  you  or  any  other  Company  K  folks  are  ever  out  this 
way  hunt  me  up.  I  own  a  quarter-section  farm  four 
miles  west  of  town  in  as  g-ood  a  country  as  is  around 
Newark.  I  have  never  been  able  to  meet  you  at  any 
of  the  reunions,  but  I  am  always  glad  to  get  a  card 
of  invitation.  " 

MARSHALL  HAVENHILL, 

Miner,  Miner  County,  South  Dakota. 
Enlisted  at  Newark  in    April,  1861.    July  20,  1861, 
was  transferred  to  the  regimental  band. 

GEORGE  HOPGOOD, 

Morton,  Lewis  County,  Washington. 
April,  1861-July  23,  1862.     Born  in  England.     Came 


14  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

to  America  in  1857.  Twenty-one  years  old  when  en- 
listed. Is  pensioned  at  the  rate  of  four  dollars  a 
month  for  disabilities  incurred  in  service. 

Since  the  war  has  lived  most  of  the  time  at  Clin- 
ton, Missouri,  and  has  worked  as  a  stone-mason 
Has  g-one  west  and  taken  a  homestead  and  intends 
to  g-row  up  with  the  country.  Is  a  "republican  all 
the  way  throug-h".  In  religion  he  is  a  true  Christian. 
Adopts  the  grand  principles  of  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount.  Get  your  Bibles,  turn  to  Matthew  vii,  12,  and 
read  the  rule  that  he  lives  by.  That  is  good  religion, 
George.  None  better  was  ever  formulated.  Ivive 
right  up  to  it  and  you  need  have  no  fear  of  torment 
or  torture  in  the  life  beyond  this  life. 

6 

EDWIN  HOWES, 
Eola,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 
April,  1861-July  15,  1865.  Born  in  State  of  New 
York.  Twenty-two  years  old  when  enlisted.  Wound- 
ed and  captured  at  Britton's  Lane.  Paroled.  Cap- 
tured again  near  Atlanta,  July  22,  1864,  and  sent  to 
Confederate  prisons.  Escaped  from  prison  and 
reached  Union  lines  near  Wilmington,  North  Caro- 
lina, February,  1865.  Pensioned  at  the  rate  of  twelve 
dollars  a  month  for  disabilities  incurred  in  the  ser- 
vice. Is  a  farmer.  A  prohibitionist.  Professes  to 
be  a  Christian. 

Dr.  WIEIvIAM  H.  H.  HUTTON, 

Surgeon  U.S.  Marine  Hospital  Service,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Born  in  York,  Jefferson  county,  Ohio.  Enlisted  in 
Company  K,  20th  Illinois  regiment,  June  17,  1861,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-three  years  ;  discharged  therefrom 
August  28, 1862,  for  deafness  caused  by  concussion  of 
cannon   at  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.     Had    par- 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH    II.I.INOIS.  15 

ticipated  in  all  battles  in  which  Company  was  eng-ag-- 
ed  up  to  date  of  discharg-e. 

September  2,  1862,  enlisted  in  Company  D,  104th 
reg-iment  Illinois  volunteers.  Reported  to  his  Com- 
pany at  Ivouisville,  Ky.,  October  2,  1862.  Appointed 
Serg-eant  April  10,  1863.  Appointed  Color-Serg-eant 
on  battle-field  of  Chicamaug-a  September  20,  1863. 
Wounded  at  battle  of  Missionary  Ridg-e  November 
25,  1863.  On  account  of  disabilities  was  sent  to  Chi- 
cag-o.  111.,  March,  1864.  Was  chief  clerk  Desmarres 
eye  and  ear  inilitary  hospital,  Chicag"0,  from  July  4, 
1864,  to  March  8,  1865,  at  which  date  was  discharg-ed 
frotn  104th  Illinois  reg-iment  by  order  of  Secretary  of 
War.  Was  appointed  Hospital  Steward  U.  S.  A. 
March  8,  186@ln  w^hich  capacity  he  served  till  April 
1,  1871,  thus  making-  a  military  record  of  ten  years. 
As  Hospital  Steward,  U.  S.  A.,  he  served  at  the  fol- 
lowing- places  :  Chicag-o,  111.  ;  Montg-omery,  Mobile, 
and  Forts  Gaines  and  Morg-an,  Alabama;  Charles- 
ton, S.  C.  ;  Newbern  and  Raleig-h,  N.  C.  ;  Key  West 
and  Dry  Tortug-as,  Florida.  September  8,  1871,  was 
appointed  Hospital  Steward  in  U.  S.  Marine  Hospi- 
tal, Mobile,  Alabama  ;  resig-ned  July  4,  1874. 

Graduated  from  Chicag-o  Medical  Colleg-e  March 
16,  1875.  May  8,  1875,  was  appointed  Assistant  Sur- 
g-eon  U.  S.  Marine  Hospital  service.  This  appoint- 
ment was  made  on  results  of  competitive  examina- 
tion. Promoted  to  Surg-eon  October  5,  1876.  As  a 
United  States  medical  officer  has  served  at  ports  of 
New  York,  Cincinnati,  Mobile,  Key  West,  New  Or- 
leans, Baltimore,  and  is  now  serving-  second  tour  at 
Detroit. 

Has  served  as  Medical  Inspector  of  the  Life-Sav- 
ing Service,  is  on  several  examing-  boards,  and  has 
had  a  g-reat  deal  to  do  with  National  quarantine  mat- 
ters, especially  as  regards  yellow  fever  and  cholera. 


16  ROSTER   AND   RECORD. 

On  one  occasion  represented  the  authority  of  the 
United  States  for  several  months,  in  quarantine  mat- 
ters, on  the  entire  Florida  coast. 

This  is  a  very  brief  summary  of  Comrade  Button's 
life  for  nearly  thirty-three  years. 

JAME^S  JENNINGS, 
Sheridan,  I^aSalle  County,  111. 

April,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  state  of  New 
York.  Twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted.  Was 
one  of  the  very  first  to  volunteer  at  Newark  ;  prob- 
ably signed  the  roll  April  15,  1861.  He  also  re-enlist- 
ed for  another  three  years  as  soon  as  he  had  an  op- 
portunity to  do  so,  which  was  December  16,  1863.  Is 
well  charg-ed  with  g^rit.  Was  shot  in  shoulder  at 
Britton's  Lane.  Was  captured  July  22,  1864,  near  At- 
lanta, and  sent  to  Andersonville  ;  made  three  escapes 
from  prison ;  first  and  second  were  unsuccessful  ; 
was  re-captured  both  times  in  the  woods,  after  trav- 
eling- many  nig-hts  and  underg-oing-  great  hardships. 
Third  escape  proved  successful.  Reached  Union 
lines  near  Wilmington,  N.  C,  Feb.  22,  1865.  Is  pen- 
sioned at  rate  of  four  dollars  a  month  for  wound  re- 
ceived at  Britton's  L/ane.  Is  a  farmer.  Non-sectarian 
in  religion  ;  republican  in  politics. 

Comrade  Jennings  has  been  greatly  bereaved  by 
the  loss  of  his  wife  who  died  at  South  San  Diego,  Cal., 
April  14,  1894.  He  and  daughter  Edith  accompanied 
her  to  the  Pacific  coast  during  the  preceding  au- 
tumn, vainly  attempting  to  save  her  from  the  fatal 
malady  to  which  she  finally  succumbed.  Our  com- 
rade's home  is  now  desolate. 

BIvIAS  KII^MER, 
Prophetstown,  Whiteside  County,  111. 
April  24.  1861-July  14,  1864.     Born  in  Oswego  coun- 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH    II^I^INOIS.  17 

ty,  New  York.  Twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted. 
September  5,  1864,  enlisted  in  146th  Reg-iment,  Illinois 
Volunteers,  and  was  discharg-ed  therefrom  July  5, 
1865,  by  reason  of  the  termination  of  the  war.  Is  pen- 
sioned at  rate  of  six  dollars  a  month.  Since  the  war 
has  been  a  farmer.  This  is  the  way  Elias  writes  : 
'•Politics,  black  republican.  In  reg-ard  to  relig-ion, 
my  wife  belong-s  to  the  Methodist  church.  I  suppose 
you  preached  prohibition  and  voted  democratic.  " 
There  are  very  many  republicans  of  my  acquaintance 
whom  I  would  be  glad  to  see  preaching-  prohibition 
althoug-h  they  continue  to  vote  the  republican  ticket. 
No  class  of  American  citizens  would  be  more  greatly 
blessed  and  benefitted  by  prohibition  than  republi- 
cans. 

JOHN  IvBACH,  Morris,  111. 

April,  1861- July  16,  1865.  Born  in  West  Virginia. 
Twent3'-two  years  old  when  enlisted.  A  carpenter. 
A  very  active  republican — never  preaches  prohibi- 
tion. Is  a  christian,  but  has  not  worked  at  the  trade 
for  many  years.  Did  not  answer  my  letter,  and  am 
unable  to  give  further  facts  from  memory. 

JAMES  B.  EITTlvKWOOD, 
Washington,  D.  C,  No.  415,  B  Street,  N.  E. 
April,  1861-July,  1865.  Born  in  England.  Was 
struck,  I  think,  by  a  spent  ball  at  Britton's  Eane. 
Was  a  good  soldier.  Since  war,  has  held  clerical 
positions  in  Washington  ;  is  now  in  the  Patent  Office. 
While  performing  clerical  duty,  studied  medicine  and 
graduated  from  Medical  College  at  Georgetown,  D. 
C.  Owns  a  home  in  Washington.  Is  probably  a 
democrat  at  the  present  time.  Did  not  answer  my 
letter  of  inquiry. 


18  ROSTER    AND   RECORD. 

JOHN  P.  MULIvE^NIX,  Fairfield,  Iowa. 
May,  1861-March  25, 1862.  Born  in  Ohio.  Thirty- 
six  years  old  when  enlisted  Receives  pension  at 
rate  of  thirty  dollars  a  month  for  disability  incurred 
in  service  ;  has  drawn  pension  from  date  of  discharge. 
Badly  crippled  ;  cannot  g-o  without  crutches  ;  has  no 
use  of  left  arm  and  shoulder  ;  rheumatism  is  the 
main  difficulty.  Is  a  Presbyterian  in  belief,  and  a 
republican  from  principle. 

AIvBE:rT  pierson, 

10  Prospect  Street,  East  Orang-e,  New  Jersey. 
June  3,  1861-November  20,  1862.  In  1863,  when 
Confederate  army  came  up  into  Pennsylvania,  en- 
listed in  a  militia  company,  and  served  thirty  days. 
Born  in  Orang-e,  N.  J.  Was  twenty-two  years  old 
when  enlisted.  Had  the  pleasure  of  participating-  in 
only  one  battle  during-  the  war — that  of  Frederick- 
town,  Missouri.  About  November  1,  1861,  became 
very  sick  at  Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  On  the  20th  of 
that  month  received  f  urloug-h  and  went  to  Mr.  Jes- 
sup's,  Na-au-say  township,  Kendall  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  remained  for  six  months  a  very  sick  man. 
In  May,  1862,  was  sent  to  East  Orang-e,  N.  J.,  his 
former  home,  in  charg-e  of  a  personal  attendant,  and 
came  near  dying-  on  the  journey.  Remained  at  Fast 
Orang-e,  sick,  for  four  months.  In  Aug-ust  reported 
to  hospital,  on  Bedloe  Island^  from  which  he  was  dis- 
charg-ed  November  20,  1862,  and  it  is  the  reg-ret  of 
Comrade  Pierson  that  he  was  not  with  Company  K, 
20th  Illinois  Reg-iment,  during-  the  whole  war.  Since 
discharg-ed  he  has  been  seriously  sick,  and  has  paid 
out  money  to  doctors.  "  Yet,  I  believe  there  is  One 
above  who  rules  over  all,  and  when  my  time  comes 
no  doctor  can  save  me.  "     (  Doctor  Taylor,  what  think 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II,I,INOIS.  19 

you  of  this  ?  )  Comrade  Pierson  is  a  Presbyterian. 
He  is  not  a  pensioner ;  he  has  never  applied  for 
pension.  He  is  a  republican  ;  is  a  powerful  republi- 
can, and  is  in  grief  because  of  the  ascendancy  of  the 
democratic  party.  This  is  the  way  he  writes  :  "  O, 
what  a  g-reat  big  humbug-  Grover  is,  anyway  ;  he 
ought  to  be  in  England,  not  America.  I  recall  the 
night  after  the  election  ;  I  expected  nothing  from 
New  Jersey — she  has  always  been  a  democrat — but  I 
did  expect  good  new^  from  the  Prairie  state.  At 
twelve  o'clock  report  came,  '  Illinois  is  against  Har- 
rison.' At  first  I  refused  to  believe  it.  I  had  been 
proud  of  Illinois  up  to  that  time,  as  I  had  spent  some 
years  there,  but  now  I  am  in  sorrow  for  her."  Al- 
bert, I  am  surprised  that  a  grave  and  serious  man  of 
mature  j^ears  would  sit  up  till  twelve  o'clock  watch- 
ing election  returns.  Don't  do  it  again.  Retire  at 
nine  o'clock  regularly  the  night  after  election  and  in 
the  morning  you  will  be  in  better  condition  to  hear 
the  news.  You  may  get  bad  news  next  time,  too 
As  ordered  by  the  people,  so  will  the  result  be. 

Comrade  Pierson  has  been  engaged  in  different 
lines  of  business  since  the  war — is  now,  and  has 
been  for  some  years,  in  the  wood  and  coal  business. 
He  gives  this  cordial  invitation  :  "  If  any  Company 
K  boys  ever  come  East,  I  want  them  to  run  out  to 
Orange  and  see  me  ;  about  fourteen  miles  from  New 
York  City,  and  trains  run  all  the  time.     Remember!" 

In  a  subsequent  letter,  Comrade  Pierson  has  given 
additional  facts  concerning  himself.  In  the  spring 
of  1857  he  went  out  to  Illinois  to  be  a  farmer.  Was 
in  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  when  the  affair  took  place 
at  Fort  Sumpter  in  Charleston  Harbor,  and  imme- 
diately joined  a  Company  that  was  started  at  Oswe- 
go. That  Company  was  unfortunate  in  not  being 
accepted,    and   he  was   obliged   to   go   back  to  work. 


20  ROSTKR    AND   RECORD, 

In  the  meantime  a  Kendall  county  Company  was 
org-anized  at  Newark  and  went  into  camp  at  Joliet. 
Some  of  the  Osweg-o  boys  went  to  Joliet  and  joined 
that  Company  and  sent  back  word  that  a  few  more 
men  would  be  received.  Comrade  Pierson  was  full 
of  the  war,  but  was  reluctant  about  quitting-  work 
again.  One  day  he  was  plowing-.  His  team  consist- 
ed of  a  free  horse  and  a  very  lazy  one.  He  talked  a 
g-reat  deal  to  the  lazy  horse  and  pelted  him  with 
chunks  of  dirt,  but  all  this  was  unavailing-  and  he  de- 
cided to  resort  to  harsher  means.  He  stopped,  threw 
the  lines  from  his  shoulders,  swung-  them  around  the 
plow  handle  and  went  up  along-side  of  the  lazy  ani- 
mal to  thrash  him.  But  as  soon  as  he  commenced 
operations  the  free  horse  jumped  and  away  went  the 
team.  After  considerable  time  he  caug-ht  them.  He 
then  felt  very  g-ritty  and  resolved  to  be  a  soldier.  He 
tied  the  horses  to  a  fence  and  started.  As  he  passed 
the  house  he  called  at  the  door  and  said,  "  Good  bye  ! 
I  am  oif  for  the  war,"  and  moved  on  toward  Joliet. 
On  this  journey  he  was  troubled  by  the  thoug-ht  that 
he  was  liable  to  be  rejected,  as  he  was  a  small  man 
and,  at  that  time,  first-class  war  material  was  in 
g-reat  abundance.  When,  however,  he  reached  camp 
he  passed  muster  successfully  and  was  happy.  Com- 
rade Pierson  closes  his  letter  thus  :  "  When  another 
election  comes  'round  I  want  you  fellows  out  there  to 
attend  to  business  better  than  you  did  before.  Watch 
New  Jersey  next  time." 

WILIylAM    PRENTICE, 

Soldiers'  Home,  Ouincy,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  in  April,  1861  ;  served  for  several  months 
in  Company  K.     Was  discharg-ed  for  disability,  and 
afterwards  enlisted  in  another  Regiment.     Is  a  pen- 
sioner. 


COMPANY    K,    TWENTIETH    ILLINOIS.  21 

WIIvIvIAM  PRESTON,  steward,  Illinois. 
April  24,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  Kendall  coun- 
t3%  Illinois.  Twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Receives  pension  for  disability  incurred  in  service. 
After  war,  eng-ag-ed  in  farming  ;  later  was  in  busi- 
ness ;  now  somewhat  retired.  Is  interested  in  Com- 
pany K  mjatters,  and  is  g"lad  that  a  roster  is  likely  to 
be  made  up. 

JAY  DELOS  PRUYN,  Oneonta,  New  York. 

May  1,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
Twenty-two  years  old  when  enlisted.  Is  g^ranted 
pension  at  rate  of  twelve  dollars  a  month.  Is  paint- 
er and  decorator.     Republican.     Presbyterian. 

I  am  under  special  oblig-ation  to  Comrade  Pruyn 
for  aiding-  me  while  lying-  helpless  and  in  dang-er  of 
bleeding-  to  death  on  the  battlefield  at  Raymond.  He 
bandag-ed  my  wounded  leg-  with  his  big-  red  handker- 
chief, knotted  and  drawn  very  tig-htly,  and  with  my 
own  suspenders  ;  g-ave  me  a  g-ood  drink  out  of  his 
canteen,  and  then  resumed  his  place  in  the  ranks. 
Comrade  Pruyn  was  a, good  soldier,  a  conscientious 
man,  a  man  of  many  good  qualities.  My  association 
with  him  in  the  army  will  continue  a  pleasant  recol- 
lection. 

NARCISSE  REMILLARD, 

Mount  Taber,  Multnomah  County,  Oregon. 
April  1861-July  14,  1864.  September  5,  1864,  en- 
listed in  146th  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  discharged  therefrom  July  5, 1865.  Was  born 
at  Naperville,  Canada.  Twenty-six  years  old  when 
enlisted.  Is  pensioned  at  rate  of  ten  dollars  a  month 
for  disability  incurred  in  service.  In  religion,  Pro- 
testant ;  a  member  of  Baptist  church.  In  politics, 
non-partisan.     Votes  with    reference  to   the  good  of 


22  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

the  country.  Does  not  consider  the  interests  of  poli- 
ticians. That  is  correct ;  vote  as  you  shot — for 
country  and  for  right. 

WARREN  ROCKWOOD,  Sheridan,  Illinois. 
April,  1861-Noveniber  15,  1861.  Born  in  state  of 
New  York.  Twenty-three  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Receives  pension  at  rate  of  eig-ht  dollars  a  month. 
Was  a  farmer  for  a  number  of  years  ;  now  works  as 
carpenter.     Republican.     Non-sectarian  in  relig-ion. 

BERDBTTK  SPENCER, 

Elmira,  New  York,  No.  1024  CoUeg-e  Avenue. 
May  13,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  at  Mohawk,  Her- 
kimer county,  N.  Y.  Thirty-three  years  old  when 
enlisted.  Was  wounded  in  left  forearm  at  Fort  Don- 
elson,  and  receives  pension  of  ten  dollars  a  month 
because  of  wound.  On  account  of  this  wound  he  was 
away  from  the  Company  on  furloug-h  seven  months, 
three  months  at  Marine  hospital,  Chicago,  and  four 
months  at  home.  During-  this  time  missed  Shiloh 
and  Britton's  Lane  ;  was  in-  all  other  battles  with 
the  Company.  Is  now,  and  has  been  since  July  24, 
1876,  employed  at  New  York  State  Reformatory, 
which  has  aboUt  fifteen  hundred  prisoners.  Has  nev- 
er seen  a  Company  K  man  since  the  war.  Wants  to 
g-et  all  the  news  about  the  boys.  Would  like  to  attend 
a  reunion  and  see  them  all  once  more.  Does  not 
know  whether  to  call  them  boys  now  or  not.  Is  not  a 
church  member  ;  in  belief,  a  spiritualist. 

RICHARD    SPRINGER, 

Chicag-o,  111.,  No.  99  Washing-ton  Street. 
April,   1861-Aug-ust  31,  1865.     Born  at  LaFayette, 
Indiana.     Seventeen   years   old  when  enlisted.  Shot 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH    ILI.INOIS.  2o 

in  rig-ht  arm  July  21,  1864,  near  Atlanta,  while  at- 
tempting- to  rescue  Martin  Morley,  the  reg^imental 
standard  bearer,  who  lay  wounded  between  the  lines. 
Draws  pension  for  this  wound  at  rate  of  seventeen 
dollars  a  month.  Since  war  has  been  student,  jour- 
nalist,man  of  affairs, eng-ag"ed  in  various  business  en- 
terprises, now  handles  real  estate  in  Chicago.  Fear- 
less and  ag"g-ressive  in  politics,  as  upon  battlefields,  he 
has  never  winced  under  stroke  of  party  lash.  Has 
been  liberal  republican  and  g-reenbacker.  Now  looks 
with  favor  upon  the  independent  populist  movement. 
In  relig-ion,  liberal.  Protestant  rather  than  Catho- 
lic. 

JOHN  J.  TAYLOR,  M.  D.,  Streator,  Illinois. 
June  17,  1861-June  16,  1862.  Born  in  Kent,  Eng-- 
land.  Came  to  America  in  1852  with  his  parents 
when  eleven  years  old.  Came  on  ship  Prince  Albert 
with  five  hundred  emig-rants  ;  thirty-seven  days  on 
sea.  Has  renounced  alleg-iance  to  the  British  crown. 
Is  now  American  throug-h  and  throug-h.  Was  twenty 
years  old  when  enlisted.  Receives  pension  at  rate  of 
eig-ht  dollars  a  month  for  disabilities  incurred  in  ser- 
vice. Suffered  for  about  twenty  years  after  dis- 
charg-ed  from  the  army  with  alimentary  and  other 
difficulties.  After  coming-  home  badly  wrecked  he 
attended  Normal  University  with  the  purpose  of  pre- 
paring- for  a  teacher,  but  was  compelled  by  ill  health 
to  abandon  the  project.  Beg-an  the  study  of  medi- 
cine for  personal  benefit,  afterwards  adopted  it  as  a 
profession.  Studied  medicine  at  University  of  Mich- 
ig-an  in  1865-6,  and  in  1866-7  in  Chicago  at  the  Rush. 
Graduated  from  Rush  Medical  College  January  25, 
1867,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
the  profession.  Is  a  railroad  surgeon,  is  secretary 
of  IvaSalle  county  Medical  Society,  and  is  examining 


24  ROSTER    AND    RKCORD. 

surg-eon  for  a  number  of  life  insurance  companies. 
Has  been  president  of  North  Central  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. Has  been  captain  of  State  Militia  and  ald- 
erman fourth  ward,  Streator. 

This  comrade  is  a  very  zealous  adherent  of  the  re- 
publican party  ;  he  has  g-reat  faith  in  the  party.  He 
thinks  the  republican  party  is  rig-ht.  He  thinks  it  al- 
ways has  been  rig-ht.  He  thinks  it  will  soon  ag-ain 
have  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  government.  We 
are  in  g-reat  dang-er  of  being-  delug-ed  by  foreig-n 
goods  from  which  calamity  the  government  should 
protect  us. 

In  religion  he  is  broad  and  free.  Is  not  priest-rid- 
den. He  cordially  recognizes  whatever  of  good 
there  is  in  the  "religious  societies"  and  spreads  the 
wide  mantle  of  charity  over  all  their  errors.  Is  very 
willing  and  very  anxious  to  learn  in  regard  to  the 
great  beyond,  but  is  not  willing  to  take  bit  and  be 
reined  by  priest  or  prelate.  Desires  liberty  in  re- 
gard to  religious  thought  and  action. 

"Be  industrious,  be  honest,  be  clean,  be  true  to 
yourself  and  charitable  to  others,  and  lift  like  a 
Hercules  to  lighten  the  burden  of  those  who  are 
heavily  loaded  and  weary  in  the  journey  of  life. 
These  things  are  religion." — Taylor. 

"  The  practice  of  moral  duties  without  a  belief  in  a 
Divine  law-giver,  and  without  reference  to  His  will 
or  commands,  is  not  religion." — Webster. 

Who  shall  decide  when  doctor's  disagree  ? 

WILLIAM  TODD, 
Illinois  Soldier's  Home,  Quincy,  Illinois. 
April,  1861-May  25,  1865.     Was  born  in  Kirkcaldy, 
Scotland,  but  left  the  bleak,  barren  hills  of  his  na- 
tive land  in  1849  and  came  to  Chicago.     Was  twenty- 
nine  years  and  nine  months  old  when  enlisted.    Cap- 


COMPANY   K,   TWENTIETH   lEEINOIS.  25 

tured  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22,  1864,  and  for  many 
months  confined  in  Confederate  prisons. 

Since  putting-  foot  upon  the  western  continent  Wil- 
liam has  been  an  enthusiastic  American.  He  be- 
lieves America  should  be  protected.  We  should  not 
break  down  the  walls  and  allow  the  country  to  be 
flooded  with  goods  from  foreig-n  shores.  We  want 
work  to  do  and  plenty  of  it.  An  idle  brain  is  the 
devil's  shop.  Don't  let  the  Kng-lish,  the  Dutch  or  the 
French  work  for  us,  howsoever  cheaply  they  offer 
their  services.  Comrade  Todd  is  an  idolator.  He 
worships  the  republican  party.  He  is  wedded  to  his 
idol — let  him  alone. 

In  regard  to  religion,  he  writes  this  :  "  I  am  a 
Christian,  i.  e.,  a  believer  in  Christ  and  his  teach- 
ings. I  am  not  connected  with  any  denomination, 
but  have  a  leaning  to  the  Congregational.  My 
father  was  of  that  denomination  in  Scotland,  the 
name  for  them  there  and  in  E^ngland  being  Indepen- 
dents."    Became  a  Kendall  county  man  by  adoption. 

"I  enlisted  at  Champaign,  111.,  April  18,  1861,  but 
when  we  went  into  cainp  at  Joliet  that  Company  had 
four  men  above  the  maximum  number,  and  the  Ken- 
dall county  Company  lacked  two  men  of  the  mini- 
mum number.  I  and  another  transferred  ourselves 
from  A  to  K,  and  were  put  on  the  muster  roll  as 
having  enlisted  in  Company  K  April  24,  1861.  So 
you  can  put  me  down  in  roster  as  having  enlisted  at 
Newark,   Kendall    county,    Illinois,  April   24,  1861." 

Comrade  Todd  is  badly  broken  in  health.  Right 
side  partly  paralyzed.  He  says  he  "cannot  write 
worth  a  continental."  Is  a  shoemaker.  Has  worked 
at  that  trade  principally  since  the  war,  but  has  been 
otherwise  employed  and,  he  writes,  "I  finally  got  in 
here."  He  receives  from  Uncle  Sam  at  Washington 
a   regular   remittance    at   the   rate   of   six  dollars  a 


26  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

month.     I  should  think  the  old  fellow  could  do  a  lit- 
tle better  than  that. 


SAMUEly  TRENTOR,  Morris,  Illinois. 
April  24,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  at  Moundsville, 
West  Virg-inia.  Nearly  nineteen  years  old  when  en- 
listed. Sam  thoug-ht  that  with  his  long-  arms  he 
could  do  good  work  with  a  cavalry  sabre,  and  did  not 
re-enlist  in  the  20th  Reg-iment,  but  when  discharged 
therefrom  joined  Captain  Collins'  Company  of  the 
4th  Illinois  Cavalry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  Was  shot  in  the  neck  at  Britton's  I^ane.  Re- 
ceives pension  at  rate  of  twelve  dollars  a  month  for 
disabilities  incurred  in  the  service.  Works  for  a  liv- 
ing-. Writes  thus:  "I  am  not  a  democrat.  My  re- 
ligion I  have  not  yet." 

WIIvIvIAM  VREKI.AND,  Maurice,  Iowa. 
April,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  in  Hudson  county, 
N.  J.  Twenty-four  years  old  when  enlisted.  Re- 
ceives pension  at  rate  of  eight  dollars  a  month  for 
disability  incurred  in  the  service.  Was  a  farmer  for 
several  years  after  discharg-e,  but  the  condition  of 
his  health  forced  him  to  abandon  that  vocation.  Is 
now  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Maurice  Free  Press. 
"A  rock-ribbed  republican  and  a  Methodist.  The  two 
thing-s  g-o  well  together,  you  know."  How  would 
prohibition  and  Methodism  go  ?  Think  about  it 
brother ! 

AMBROSE  WALLACE. 

Born  in  England.  Enlisted  in  April,  1861.  One  day 
while  the  Regiment  was  guarding  a  railroad  near 
Charleston,  Missouri,  in  the  fall  of  1861,  Wallace  dis- 
appeared. Returned  to  the  Company  in  about  two 
months.      Said  he  had  been  captured  and  had  been 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II^IvINOlS.  27 

with  Jeff.  Thompson  at  New  Madrid.  Sunday,  April 
6,  1861,  he  deserted  from  the  ranks  on  the  battlefield 
of  Shiloh  and  never  afterwards  appeared.  He  now 
lives  in  Tennessee.  Was  heard  from  a  few  months 
ago.  At  that  time  he  was  not  a  pensioner,  but  he 
wanted  to  be.  As  the  law  now  stands  he  is  barred  by 
his  record.  His  only  recourse  is  to  come  North  and 
employ  some  available  Congressman  to  introduce  and 
pass  throug-h  Cong-ress  a  special  act  granting-  him  a 
pension.  In  all  probability  it  would  be  vetoed  during- 
the  present  administration,  but  the  Executive  would 
be  put  on  record  as  being-  opposed  to  pensions.  That 
would  be  a  point  g-ained  in  politics.  Undoubtedly  it 
is  to  the  interest  of  Ambrose  Wallace  to  have  a 
chang-e. 

ANDREW  WEST,  Cabery,  Illinois. 

April,  1861-November  1,  1861.  Was  born  in  state  of 
New  York.  On  Aug-ust  8,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  91st 
Illinois  Reg-iment,  and  was  discharged  therefrom 
January  2,  1863  ;  afterwards  joined  a  company  of 
New  York  Artillery,  and  while  in  this  organization 
was  seriously  wounded  in  leg  at  Petersburg,  Virginia, 
and  draws  pension  for  wound.  Did  not  reply  to.my 
letter  of  inquiry. 

I  was  sick  of  measles  in  a  hospital  at  Cape  Girar- 
deau, Missouri,  in  September,  1861.  At  the  same 
time  Andrew  West  was  very  sick  in  another  hospital 
close  to  the  river.  One  evening,  when  convalescent 
and  on  the  outlook  for  a  boat  upon  which  to  return  to 
the  Regiment  at  Bird's  Point,  I  sat  beside  Comrade 
West  for  nearly  an  hour  and  I  thought  every  breath 
would  be  his  last.  The  Surgeon  in  charge  said  he  was 
dying  and  called  an  attendant,  and  directed  him  to 
remain  with  the  patient,  and  gave  the  attendant  spe- 
cific instructions  in  regard  to  what  he  should  do  when 


28  ROSTER    AND    RKXORD. 

the  patient  was  dead.  This  attendant  was  Charles 
Halbert  of  the  7th  Illinois  Reg-iment.  The  end  did 
not  come  as  soon  as  anticipated,  and  as  the  attendant 
sat  watching-  and  waiting-  he  reached  for  a  spong-e  in 
a  dish  of  water  near  bj,  squeezed  it  out,  and  with  the 
wet  sponge  commenced  to  rub  the  dying-  man.  After 
a  little  he  fancied  it  g-ave  relief.  He  continued  the 
process  of  rubbing-  the  whole  body,  and  soon  became 
certain  that  his  patient  was  coming-  back  to  life.  In 
the  morning-  Andrew  West  was  in  a  greatly  improv- 
ed condition  and  the  doctor  was  astonished. 

Why  did  not  the  dying-  man  die  ?  Comrade  Pierson 
would  say  it  was  because  his  time  had  not  yet  come. 
Charles  Halbert  says  he  saved  him. 

ALONZO  WHITE,  Saunemin,  Illinois. 
June  11,  1861-July  16,  1865.  I  saw  Comrade  White 
about  six  years  ag-o.  At  that  time  he  was  a  Metho- 
dist, a  prohibitionist  and  was  not  a  pensioner.  He 
had  never  applied  for  pension  and  never  expected  to 
apply.  I  do  not  know  whether  he  has  held  out  faith- 
fully up  to  the  present  time  or  not  on  all  these  points. 
He  did  not  reply  to  my  letter  of  inquiry.  I  wrote  to 
the  postmaster  of  his  town  and  got  this  :  "  Yes,  he  is 
here.     He  runs  a  blacksmith  shop  in  this  town." 

ANDREW  JACKSON  WILSEY,  Aurora,  Illinois. 
April,  1861-June  9,  1862.  Born  in  Madison  countj^ 
New  York.  Twenty-one  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Since  discharg-e  has  followed  a  diversity  of  pursuits. 
He  is  not  a  pensioner  but,  I  think,  would  not  object 
to  being-  enrolled  as  one  of  Uncle  Sam's  beneficiaries. 
I  meet  him  frequently.  He  has  never  g-iven  serious 
thoug-ht  to  relig-ion  and,  I  understand,  has  no  well  de- 
fined and  settled  theolog-ical  opinions.     In  politics  he 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH    II.I.INOIS.  29 

is  a  democrat,  a  reg-ular  old-fashioned,  democrat  of 
the  Andrew  Jackson  type.  He  was  not  at  New  Orleans, 
however,  but  he  faced  fury  of  shot  and  shell  at  Shiloh. 

DeWITT  C.  WILSON,  Plattville,  Illinois. 

June  11,  ]861-July  14, 1864.  Born  in  Shelby  county, 
Ohio.  Nineteen  years  old  when  enlisted.  Is  not  a 
pensioner.  Since  the  war  has  been  a  farmer.  In 
politics  a  straight  republican.  In  religion  aims  to  be 
a  practical  christian.  He  believes  that  good  works 
are  more  efficacious  than  loud  prayers  and  soul-sav- 
ing sermons.  He  has  no  connection  with  any  relig- 
ous  sect. 

On  the  morning  of  June  11,  1861,  his  father  sent 
him  into  a  field  with  a  horse  to  cultivate  corn  with  a 
shovel  plow.  After  working  a  few  hours  he  tied  his 
horse  to  a  fence  at  one  end  of  the  field  and  started 
directly  to  Joliet  on  foot  to  enlist.  He  did  good  work 
as  a  soldier  for  more  than  three  j-ears. 

All  will  have  a  vivid  recollection  of  Fort  Donelson. 
The  lack  of  rations,  the  lack  of  tents  or  protection  of 
any  kind,  the  hard  fighting  and  the  hard  weather, 
the  rain,  the  sleet,  the  snow,  the  cold,  the  long  dreary 
nights  without  fires.  On  one  of  those  nights  DeWitt 
Wilson  and  the  writer  stood  on  picket  guard  together 
close  up  to  the  enemy's  works.  We  were  posted 
stealthily  after  dark  under  a  low  bushy  tree  near  a 
road  which  led  to  and  from  the  town.  We  were  tore- 
main  very  quiet,  not  to  speak  louder  than  a  whisper, 
and  to  watch  closely  all  night.  If  the  enemy  sallied 
out  in  force  we  were  to  fire  and  run  to  the  Regiment. 
It  was  very  cold.  The  mercury  was  going  down  and 
was  not  far  from  zero.  Our  clothes  had  been  soaked 
by  previous  rains  and  were  now  frozen  stiff  and  clank- 
ed with  every  movement.  We  remained  as  posted 
for  several  liours.      Finally,  the  Confederates  came 


30  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

over  their  works  and  made  a  vig-orous  assault  with  in- 
tent to  break  the  Union  line.  When  the  assault  was 
made  I  was  in  an  almost  helpless  condition.  I  could 
scarcely  move  and  was  nearly  captured.  I  and  my 
comrade  became  separated.  I  lost  my  course  and 
went  into  the  11th  Illinois  Regiment.  DeWitt  and  I 
frequently  refer  to  that  terrible  nig-ht,  the  hardest  in 
all  our  experience. 

At  Britton's  L<ane  Comrade  Wilson  and  two  others 
occupied  a  slight  ambuscade.  He  was  very  anxious 
to  have  the  enemy  show  up,  and  poked  his  cap  out  on 
the  end  of  his  ramrod.  Just  as  he  did  this  a  glancing 
bullet  struck  the  side  of  his  head  and  caused  him  to 
roll  over  two  or  three  times.  His  face  and  clothes 
were  smeared  with  blood,  and  just  then  he  would  not 
be  considered  a  good-looking  man. 


GEORGE  WILSON, 
Sharon  Springs,  Wallace  County,  Kansas. 

"  Sharon  is  like  a  wilderness." — Isaiah  33:  9. 

April,  1861-July  16,  1865.  Was  born  at  Newark, 
Illinois,  April  5,  1838.  Twenty-three  when  enlisted. 
Was  wounded  in  hand  at  Britton's  I^ane.  Was  cap- 
tured near  Atlanta,  July  22,  1864,  and  confined  in 
various  Confederate  prisons  for  nearly  nine  months. 
Pensioned  for  disabilities  incurred  in  service  at  rate 
of  four  dollars  a  month.  Is  a  "homesteader"  in 
Western  Kansas,  seven  miles  from  the  Colorado  line. 

"  I  belong  to  the  prevailing  church  and  I  vote  as  I 
shot — against  the  South."  "Cease  firing!  They 
have  surrendered  !"  The  men  of  the  Twentieth  heard 
those  words  on  many  battle  fields.  Finally  they  all 
surrendered  and  grounded  arms.  We  whipped  the 
rebels.  We  whipped  them  thoroughly.  The  entire 
South  lay  prostrate  and  bleeding  and  helpless  at  the 


COMPANY   K,   TWENTIETH   II^IvINOIS.  31 

feet  of  the  conquering-  soldiers  of  the  Union.  Now, 
Georg-e,  come  out  from  the  "prevailing-  church,"  the 
big-  wicked  church  of  the  world,  and  be  a  christian. 
Forg-ive  your  enemies  and  conquer  by  kindness. 
Bless  them  that  curse  you.  Do  g-ood  to  them  that 
despitefuUy  use  you  and  persecute  you  and  say  all 
manner  of  evil  ag-ainst  you  falsely.  This  is  the  true 
way.  Consider  these  thoughts  seriously,  and  when 
you  vote  ag-ain  think  of  something- else  besides  voting 
against  the  South. 

JOSIAH  WRIGHT, 

Akron,  Washington  County,  Colorado. 

April,  1861-August9,  1862.  Born  in  L/UZern  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Twenty-two  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Was  a  non-commissioned  officer  and  inember  of  the 
color  guard.  Was  shot  through  right  wrist  while 
bearing  aloft  the  flag  of  the  20th  Regiment  at  Shiloh. 
Was  discharged  because  of  wound.  Pensioned  for 
wound  at  rate  of  sixteen  dollars  a  month. 

Ivived  in  Pennsylvania  till  1851.  From  1851  to  1871 
lived  in  Kendall  county,  Illinois.  From  1871  till  1892 
lived  in  Adair  county,  Missouri.  From  spring  of 
1892  to  present  time  has  lived  on  a  homestead  in 
Washington  county,  Colorado.  Is  now,  and  always 
has  been,  a  farmer. 

In  religion  is  a  Methodist.  In  politics  has  been  a 
populist  since  the  date  of  the  organization  of  that 
party.  Frequently  advocates  the  principles  of  the 
party  from  the  rostrum.  Is  very  friendly  to  silver. 
On  his  envelopes  he  has  the  motto:  "  Silver  sixteen 
to  one."  I  think  Jo  has  a  silver  mine  on  his  home- 
stead in  Colorado. 

Here  is  a  vivid  picture  from  Josiah  Wright's  pen 
which  every  man  of  the  20th  Regiment  who  was  on 
hand  at  Shiloh  will  appreciate:  "  I  was  at  the  spring 


32  ROSTER    AND   RECORD. 

in  camp  Sunday  morning-,  April  6.  The  roar  of  the 
assault  on  General  Prentis's  division  had  become  ter- 
rific. I  heard  drums  beat  the  long  roll  as  the  signal  of 
alarm.  I  rushed  to  the  Colonel's  tent  and  got  the  flag. 
In  passing  out  I  met  the  Color  Sergeant  and  gave  the 
flag  to  him.  The  boys  of  the  20th  were  swarming 
out  of  their  tents  with  their  guns.  The  Regiment 
was  quickly  formed  and  started  on  a  run  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  firing.  Colonel  Marsh  rode  rapidly  up  and 
down  the  column  urging  the  men  to  their  utmost.  We 
did  not  have  to  go  far.  The  Confederates  were  ad- 
vancing with  great  impetuosity  and  sweeping  the 
field  before  them.  We  took  position  to  beat  back  the 
on-coming  tide  and  then  the  flag  was  unfurled  and 
waved  in  the  face  of  the  foe.  The  Color  Sergeant 
was  immediately  shot  down.  I  picked  up  the  flag  and 
was  soon  wounded.  Another  member,  of  the  color 
guard  then  took  the  flag.  I  was  sent  to  a  boat  on  the 
river  and  was  nearly  gone  from  loss  of  blood." 

This  also  from  Comrade  Wright's  letter  :  "  As  I 
write  grave  thoughts  crowd  in  upon  me.  I  go  back 
in  memory  to  the  days  of  '61.  I  ain  again  at  the  war 
meeting  in  Newark,  where  I  listened  to  the  thrilling 
eloquence  of  Watson  until  fired  by  a  new  born  pur- 
pose I  there  resolved  to  serve  my  country  and,  if  so 
it  be  ordered,  to  die  in  the  service.  I  was  one  of  the 
first  to  sign  the  Company  roll.  We  are  now  widely 
scattered,  but  are  bound  together  by  the  strongest 
ties.  We  will  hardly  meet  again  in  this  life,  but  may 
we  so  live  that  we  shall  meet  around  our  Father's 
throne  where  severed  ties  of  earth  shall  be  re-united 
in  Heaven."  To  this  closing  sentiment  of  our  brave 
Comrade  say  I,  most  heartily.  Amen.  So  may  we 
live.  lyct  every  Company  K  man,  still  left^  use  this 
prayer.     Comrades  Gray  and  Taylor,  join  in. 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II,I,INOIS.  33 


Our  Recruits. 


TWO   SPI.ENDID    ENGI.ISHMEN. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1861,  two  young-  men  of  g-ood 
appearance  walked  into  our  cainp  and  immediately 
declared  their  intentions.  They  proposed  to  unite 
with  us.  We  cordially  accepted,  and  the  next  day  the 
ceremony  was  performed. 

JOHN  BROAD, 
Schell  Cit3%  Vernon  County,  Missouri. 
July  5,  1861-November  27,  1861.  Born  in  Eng-land. 
Came  to  America  in  1859.  Twenty-two  years  old 
when  enlisted.  Pensioned  at  rate  of  four  dollars  a 
month  for  disabilities  incurred  in  service.  A  carpen- 
ter by  trade,  but  now  farming-.  Was  brought  up  an 
Anglican.  At  present  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
South.  Formerly  a  democrat.  Now  votes  with  the 
Alliance. 

THOMAS  HOPGOOD, 
Clinton,  Henrj'  County,  Missouri. 
July  5,  1861-July  5,  1864.  Born  inEng-land.  Came 
to  America  May,  1859.  Twenty-six  years  old  when 
enlisted.  Receives  no  pension.  Politics,  republican 
all  the  time.  Relig-ion,  Protestant,  a  Presbyterian. 
Has  not  forg-otten  the  time  when  we  campaigned  to- 
gether. Remembers  all  the  boys  and  wants  to  be  re- 
membered by  all  of  them. 


34  ROSTER    AND   RECORD. 

TWO   MORE   RECRUITS,    BUT   NOT   OF   A    KIND. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  1861,  two  larg-e  and 
very  brave  looking-  men,  Bishop  and  another*,  came 
down  from  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  to  join  Company 
K.  We  were  then  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  and 
just  at  that  juncture  were  in  need  of  re-inforcements. 
A  Confederate  army  under  General  Polk  had  crossed 
the  river  at  Columbus,  Kentucky,  and  was  threaten- 
ing the  town.  When  the  recruits  arrived  the  camp 
was  in  commotion  on  account  of  the  expected  attack. 
Bishop  immediately  got  a  gun,  took  his  place  in  the 
ranks  and  was  ready  for  active  hostilities.  The  other 
became  sad  and  pensive.  He  did  not  want  a  gun,  and 
did  not  appear  so  much  of  a  warrior  as  at  the  moment 
of  his  arrival.  He  finally  went  on  board  of  a  boat 
with  some  women  and  children  and  crossed  the  Mis- 
sissippi river.  After  remaining  in  the  woods  of  South- 
ern Illinois  for  a  few  days  he  came  back  to  camp  to 
get  his  carpet  bag.  He  did  not  want  to  be  mustered 
into  the  army.  He  wanted  to  go  to  his  peaceful  home, 
and  he  went.  He  still  lives  in  Illinois.  I  am  not  in- 
formed as  to  whether  he  has  succeeded  in  getting  a 
pension  or  not.     His  case  will  require  a  special  act. 

IvEWIS  G.  BISHOP,  Grand  Junction,  Colorado. 

July  16,  1861-August  9,  1862.  Born  in  Yorkshire, 
Cattaraugus  county,  New  York,  on  St.  Patrick's  day, 
1838.  Was,  therefore,  twenty-three  years  old  at  time 
of  enlistment.  Was  wounded  in  left  arm  and  left  leg 
at  Shiloh.  Was  sent  down  the  rivers  to  hospitals  at 
Paducah  and  Mound  City.  In  course  of  time  obtain- 
ed leave  of  absence  and  went  up  to  Newark,  Illinois. 
Was  then  made  aware  that  the  people  appreciated  the 
soldiers.  Was  lionized  wherever  he  went  in  Kendall 
county,  which  was  a  source  of  embarrassment  to  him, 


*In  original  manuscript  the  name  of  this  recruit  was  given,  but  it 
is  here  omitted  in  compliance  with  the  very  earnest  solicitation  of 
the  printer. 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II.I.INOIS.  35 

as  lie  was  a  modest  and  humble  individual.  Was  dis- 
charg-ed  because  of  wounds  and  receives  pension 
therefor  at  rate  of  twelve  dollars  a  month.  He  is 
g-lad  that  he  still  has  his  left  leg",  althoug-h  it  is  not 
as  g-ood  as  the  other.  He  is  oblig^edto  wear  a  rubber 
stocking- and  use  other  appliances  to  suppress  inflam- 
mation and  reduce  varicose  veins. 

Comrade  Bishop  remembers  with  minute  particu- 
larity the  events  of  the  Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donel- 
son  campaig-ns.  He  remembers  as  thoug-h  it  were 
yesterday  the  morning-,  when,  at  dawn,  we  discover- 
ed lines  of  Confederates  looking-  at  us  from  their  rifle 
pits  and  when  Chaplain  Button  went  upon  his  knees 
on  the  g-round  and  prayed  with  great  earnestness  for 
the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  those  who  should  be  slain 
in  the  impending-  battle.  He  thinks  that  if  the  Chap- 
lain had  taken  a  fife  and  stepped  out  and  played 
"  Yankee  Doodle  "  it  would  have  a  better  effect.  He 
confesses  that  the  prayer  depressed  him.  In  the  state 
of  mind  in  which  he  was  at  that  time  he  would  g-reat- 
ly  prefer  to  live  than  to  die  and  take  his  chances  for 
heaven.  This  was  probabl}^  the  prevailing-  sentiment 
among-  the  soldiers  of  both  armies. 

Comrade  Bishop  came  West  in  the  spring-  of  1860 ; 
went  as  far  as  Fort  I^arimie,  Wyoming-,  returned  in 
the  fall  to  Illinois,  taug-ht  school  near  Newark  in 
winter  of  1860-61 ;  in  spring-  of  1861  went  to  Wiscon- 
sin and  helped  to  run  a  raft  of  lumber  out  of  the 
Wisconsin  river  down  to  Muscatine  ;  in  July,  1861, 
returned  to  Kendall  county,  Illinois.  When  the  dis- 
aster occurred  at  Bull  Run  he  awoke  to  the  fact  that 
the  country  was  seriously  menaced  and  resolved  to  be 
a  soldier.  He  was  acquainted  with  many  of  the  boys 
of  Company  K,  had  visited  them  in  Joliet,  and  he  de- 
cided to   cast  his   lot  with   them.     He  picked  up  his 


36  ROSTER    AND   RECORD. 

carpet-bag-  and  went  to  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri, 
and  was  mustered  in. 

After  discharg-e  Comrade  Bishop  became  a  student 
and  a  teacher ;  later  he  studied  dentistry,  and  for 
many  years  has  been  eng-ag-ed  in  the  practice  of  that 
profession. 

Religfion  :  Ag-nostic.  He  neither  asserts  nor  de- 
nies any  theological  dog-ma. 

Politics  :  Anything-  to  beat  the  republican  party. 
Believes  that  the  principles  and  methods  of  that 
party  should  be  releg-ated  to  "  innosuous  desuetude." 
The  party  is  owned  and  fenced  in  by  syndicates,  cor- 
porations and  factories,  and  is  not  worthy  of  public 
confidence.  The  people  should  rise  in  their  sover- 
eign capacity  and  decree  that  capital  shall  cease  to 
dominate  the  legislation  of  the  country. 

Comrade  Bishop  has  been  married  and  he  has  been 
un-married.  He  considers  that  St.  Paul  gave  first- 
class  advice  when,  in  his  letter  to  the  Corinthians, 
he  wrote,  "  Seek  not  a  wife." 

AUGUSTUS  GAY, 

No.  902  Second  Street,  Seattle,  Washington. 

April  5,  1862-April  9,  1865.  Was  born  at  Albany, 
New  York,  in  July,  1846.  Was,  therefore,  fifteen 
years  and  nine  months  old  when  he  enlisted.  Was 
the  youngest  man  in  Company  K,  and  looked  very 
honest.  No  boy  in  the  whole  Union  army  had  a 
more  innocent  face  than  Augustus  Gay.  He  came  to 
us  at  Joliet  and  was  rejected.  He  followed  up  the 
Regiment  for  about  a  year  and  during  most  of  that 
time  had  a  position  on  Dr.  Bailey's  staff.  Finally, 
at  Pittsburg  I^anding,  the  day  before  the  battle  of 
Shiloh,  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  K.     Was  mustered  out  at  Raleigh, 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II^I^INOIS.  37 

North   Carolina,  by  reason    of  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  enlistment. 

Aug-ustus  Gay  appeared  to  court  dang-er.  He  went 
into  battle  with  a  broad  smile  on  his  face  and  a 
twinkle  of  the  eye  as  thoug-h  he  were  eng-ag-ed  in 
something-  pleasant  and  ag-reeable.  Was  very  reck- 
less and  daring  in  action.  The  wonder  was  how  it 
happened  that  he  was  never  killed.  Was  captured 
near  Atlanta  July  22,  1864,  and  went  to  Anderson 
prison,  where  he  spent  several  months.  Was  finally 
transferred  by  the  Confederates  from  Andersonville 
to  Savannah  and  was  at  that  place  when  it  was  cap- 
tured by  the  Union  army  December  21,  1864. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  a  long-  and  interesting-  letter 
from  Comrade  Gay  in  which  he  gives  facts  concern- 
ing himself.  This  is  dated  March  26,  1894.  I  had 
previously  written  him  up  for  the  roster  from  mem- 
ory and  had  classed  him  among  the  missing.  He 
says  he  was  very  glad  to  hear  from  Company  K.  He 
has  never  seen  any  of  the  Company  since  the  war, 
and  had  never  heard  from  any  of  them.  He  was  not 
sick  a  day  while  in  the  army  and  was  never  wound- 
ed. Since  the  war  he  has  never  been  so  seriously 
sick  as  to  be  confined  to  his  bed.  He  is  not  a  rich 
man  and  he  is  not  a  poor  man.  He  weighs  250 
pounds.  He  lives  well.  He  never  chews  nor  smokes 
tobacco  nor  drinks  intoxicating  liquors  and  never 
plays  cards.  He  has  been  on  the  Pacific  slope  for 
twenty  years  and  has  not  been  back  to  the  States 
dtiring  that  time.  He  has  been  married  for  ten  years 
and  has  now  a  boy  more  than  half  as  old  as  he  was 
when  he  joined  Company  K.  After  the  war  he  stud- 
ied dental  surgery  and  has  followed  that  profession* 
continuously.  Receives  pension  at  rate  of  six  dollars 
a  month.  Writes  thus:  "I  want  you  to  put  in 
your  roster  that  if  ever  a  Company  K  man  comes  to 


38  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

this  part  of   the  world  I  want   him  to  come  and  see 
me." 

He  says  that  he  is  Protestant.  But  I  don't  think 
he  is  a  full-blooded  Protestant.  If  I  remember  cor- 
rectly he  used  to  tell  us  in  the  army  that  his  parents 
were  Hibernians,  and  that  he  was  half  Catholic  and 
half  Protestant,  and  had  by  inheritance  all  the  g-ood 
qualities  of  both  kinds  of  relig-ion. 

jame:s  springe:r, 

Eig"hty-eig-hth  and  Throop  Streets,  Chicag-o,  Illinois. 

Born  on  a  farm  near  I^a  Fayette,  Indiana.  Enlist- 
ed Aug-ust  28,  1862,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty-two  years. 
Joined  Company  K  at  Holly  Springs,  Mississippi,  in 
November,  1862,  and  served  until  mustered  out  at  the 
close  of  the  war  in  1865. 

After  discharg-e  became  a  student  at  the  University 
of  Chicag-o,  also,  law  department  thereof,  from  which 
he  g-raduated  in  June,  1868,  and  was  then  admitted  to 
the  bar.  Practiced  law  for  sixteen  years.  For  a 
time  was  eng-ag-ed  in  journalism.  Since  1885  has  fol- 
lowed a  business  career. 

In  politics  an  independent  ;  in  religion  a  Methodist. 

IvAMBERT  CONNER,  Braidwood,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Hunterdon  county.  New  Jersey.  I  think 
he  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1863.  Was  then  eighteen 
years  old.  Mustered  out  July  16, 1865.  Receives  pen- 
sion at  rate  of  sixteen  dollars  a  month  for  disabilities 
incurred  in  service.  He  did  not  reply  to  my  letter  of 
inquiry. 

FOUR    KIDS. 

Four  nice  boys,  in  a  bunch,  came  into  our  camp  at 
Big  Black  river,  Mississippi,  about  the  first  of  April, 
1864.     These  were  Pease  Barnard,  Charles  Hall,  Lu- 


COMPANY    K,    TWENTIETH   II^LINOIS.  39 

man  Preston  and  Fayette  Scofield.  They  were  all 
"  Suckers,"  were  separated  from  their  mothers  for  the 
first  time  and,  to  the  old  campaig-ners  of  Port  Donel- 
son,  Shiloh  and  Vicksburg-,  they,  appeared  very  fresh 
and  innocent.  They  had  been  mustered  in  several 
weeks  before  bj^  a  recruiting-  officer  in  Illinois,  and 
fitted  out  with  Uncle  Sam's  uniforms,  and  were  now 
ready  to  assist  in  winding  up  the  war. 

NATHANIElv  PEASE  BARNARD, 
Newark,  Illinois. 
February  25,  1864-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  EaSalle 
county,  Illinois.  Seventeen  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Served  in  Georg-ia,  went  with  Sherman  from  Atlanta 
to  the  sea,  and  helped  to  eviscerate  the  Carolinas. 
Pensioned  at  rate  of  eig-ht  dollars  a  month.  Member 
of  M.  E.  church.  An  active  member  of  republican 
party.     A  lawyer  by  profession. 

CHARIvES  HAEE, 

Westport,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota. 
February  24,  1864-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  Kendall 
county,  Illinois.  Eig^hteen  years  old  when  enlisted. 
July,  1864,  in  Georg-ia  campaig-n,  was  shot  in  the 
neck,  and  for  a  time  was  supposed  to  be  dead.  This 
recruit  was  built  of  g-ood  material  for  a  soldier.  Did 
not  answer  my  letter. 

IvUMAN  PRESTON,  Dixon,  Illinois. 
February  16,  1864-July  16,  1865.  Born  in  Kendall 
county,  Illinois.  Eig"hteen  years  old  when  enlisted. 
Is  in  business.  Did  not  reply  to  my  letter  of  inquiry. 
Is  probably  very  busily  eng-aged  attending-  to  cus- 
tomers.    I  meet  Luman  occasionally.      He  is  always 


40  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

in  g-ood  shape  and  happy.  I  think  he  is  a  democrat. 
Is  of  the  bluest  Puritan  blood,  but  has  the  fig^ure  of 
a  Teuton. 


Our  Missing  Members, 


The  following-  four  Company  K  men  I  cannot  find. 
If  any  Comrade  can  g"ive  me  any  information  con- 
cerning" any  of  them  I  desire  to  have  him  do  so.  They 
may  be  living-,  but  I  think  it  is  more  probable  that 
they  are  dead  : 

GEORGE  ADAMS. 
June,  1861-October  14,  1862.     Born  in  Eng-land. 

JOHN  CONSTANTINE. 
May,  1861-Aug-ust  29, 1861.  Born  in  Ireland.  Came 
to  America  when  one  year  old.  Claimed  to  have 
been  discharg-ed  from  the  reg-ular  army  a  short  time 
before  enlisting-  in  Company  K.  Was  an  intemper- 
ate, boisterous  and  quarrelsome  man.  Was  dismissed 
from  the  army  by  sentence  of  a  court  martial. 

EOUIS  MINTZ. 
April,  1861-Aug-ust  24,  1863.  Born  in  Portug-al.  In 
relig-ion  was  supposed  to  be  a  Hebrew.  I  think  he 
came  to  Newark  as  a  peddler  and  there  joined  Com- 
pany K.  He  was  a  g-ood  soldier,  but  was  very  excit- 
able. On  one  occasion,  when  advancing-  on  skirmish 
line   throug-h  the   woods,  he   fired  into  a  dead  rebel 


COMPANY    K,    TWENTIETH   II.I.INOIS.  41 

who  was  hang-ing-  on  a  fence.  Comrade  Mintz  was 
overheated  at  Raymond,  from  which  he  never  recov- 
ered, and  on  account  of  which  he  was  discharged. 

JOHN  PE:pOON. 
May,  1861-December  16,   1862.     At  time,  of    enlist- 
ment he  lived  in  Oswego  township,  Kendall  county, 
Illinois. 


OUR    DEAD, 


For  many  years  earth  has  held  the  ashes  of  our 
fallen  Comrades  in  its  bosoin.  We  have  kept  their 
memories  in  our  hearts. 

Slain  in  Battle. 

ANDREW  WILSON,  Plattville,  Illinois. 

Born  in  Ohio.  Enlisted  June  17,  1861,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-three  years.  Shot  through  the  head  at 
Fort  Donelson,  and  instantly  killed,  February  15, 
1862,  while  the  Union  line  was  advancing  on  the 
enemy. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  the  Confederates 
surrendered.  I  was  on  the  detail  sent  out  that  day  to 
bury  the  dead  of  our  Regiment.  We  went  to  the 
place  where  we  had  position  in  the  line  and  there,  on 
a  hard  hill,  through  stones  and  roots  we  dug  a  grave. 
This  is  the  only  grave  I  have  ever  helped  to  dig.  It 
was  thirty  feet  long  and  a  little  more  than  six  feet 
wide.     When  of  sufficient  depth  two  men  remained  in 


42  ROSTER   AND   RECORD. 

the  bottom,  and  others  handed  down,  one  by  one, 
eig-hteen  men  of  the  20th  Illinois  Regiment.  Andrew 
Wilson  was  one  of  the  number.  When  they  had  all 
been  placed  side  by  side  across  the  g-rave,  g-ood 
Chaplain  Button  spoke  solemn,  earnest  words  in  ex- 
hortation and  prayer.  Our  dead  were  covered  with 
earth,  three  volleys  were  fired  over  them  as  a  parting" 
salutation,  and  we  then  filed  away  into  camp,  weary 
and  sad. 

CURTIS  WANN,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Clarion  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  2, 
1843.  Enlisted  in  Company  K,  April,  1861.  Shot  and 
killed  instantly  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  Sunday,  April 
6,  1862.  I  have  a  clear  recollection  of  Curtis  Wann 
on  the  morning  of  that  dreadful  day,  when  we  were 
going  forward  to  meet  the  enemy.  His  face  was 
aglow  with  eagerness  and  courage,  but  alas  !  he  was 
the  first  to  fall. 

JAMES  CREELEN,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born  on  the  Isle  of  Man.  Had  not  been  in  America 
many  years.  W^as  a  shoemaker,  and  worked  at  his 
trade  in  Newark.  Was  well  thought  of  by  every- 
body. He  was  one  of  the  first  to  sign  the  Company 
roll.  He  said  at  the  outset  that  he  wanted  to  be 
killed  if  he  could  not  come  out  of  the  war  entire.  He 
dreaded  mutilation  more  than  death.  At  Shiloh,  Sun« 
day,  April  6,  1861,  he  was  shot  through  the  neck  and 
killed  instantly.  I  had  iny  eyes  squarely  upon  him 
when  he  was  struck.  He  dropped  to  the  ground  and 
never  moved.  Did  not  even  quiver.  While  lying 
dead  upon  the  battlefield  he  was  again  shot  through 
the  face. 


COMPANY    K,    T\VKNTIE:TH   II.I.INOIS.  43 

MARCUS  MORTON. 

Enlisted  at  Joliet  May,  1861.  Was  shot  and  mor- 
tally wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  1861.  Died  in  a  few 
days  after  the  battle. 

ISRAEL  WATERS,  Plattville,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  at  Joliet  in  May,  1861.  Was  shot  and  in- 
stantly killed  May  12,  1863,  in  the  battle  of  Raymond. 
While  we  were  eng-ag-ed  in  the  desperate  fig-hting-  be- 
hind the  rail  fence  I  turned  my  eyes  on  Waters  and 
he  was  cheering-  and  shouting-  defiance  to  the  enemy. 
In  a  few  moments  I  looked  again  and  he  lay  perfect- 
I3'  dead.     A  bullet  had  passed  through  his  brain. 

WIEEIAM  SHOGER,  Osweg-o,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Germany.  Came  to  America  in  1855.  En- 
listed in  May,  1861,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 
Shot  and  killed  instantly  in  the  battle  of  Raymond 
Ma3^  12,  1863.  Was  brought  up  and  confirmed  a 
Eutheran.  Eater  withdrew  from  Eutheran  church 
and  became  an  active  member  of  Evang-elical  church. 

DAVID  BARROWS,  Newark,  Illinois. 

Born  in  New  Hampshire.  Enlisted  April,  1861,  at 
the  ag-e  of  thirty-five  years.  Shot  and  killed  instant- 
ly in  the  battle  of  Raymond  May  12,  1863.  Was  a 
married  man  and  left  a  wife  and  three  little  g-irls 
lonely  and  sad.  If  I  were  asked  who  was  the  best 
soldier  in  Company  K  the  first  man  I  would  think  of 
would  be  David  Barrows.  He  did  not  waste  much 
powder.  A  g-ood  marksman,  and  level-headed  under 
the  most  trying-  circumstances,  he  aimed  and  fired  in 
the  heat  and  fury  of  battle  with  the  precision  and 
accuracy  of  targ-et  practice. 

Comrades  Waters,  Shoger  and  Barrows  were  at  my 


44  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

rig-ht.      Thej'iwere  all  shot  throug-h  the  head  and, 
^yhen  killed,  lay  touching-  each  other. 

BENJAMIN  ADAMS,  Newark,  Illinois. 

Born  in  Kendall  county,  Illinois.  E^nlisted  April, 
1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty  years.  Killed  in  battle  of 
Raymond  May  12,  1863.  Comrade  Adams  was  shot 
at  the  very  beg-inning  of  the  battle,  as  we  lay  in  the 
woods  waiting-  for  the  skirmishers  to  rally  in,  and 
before  we  fired  a  g-un.  At  the  close  of  the  battle  he 
was  still  living.  A  comrade  paused  over  him  and 
said — 

"  Can  I  do  anything-  for  you  ?" 

"No." 

"  Ben,  you  are  badly  hurt.     Won't  I  stay  with  you?  " 

"  They  are  running,  are  they  not?" 

"Yes,  we  have  them  on  the  run.  Won't  I  stay 
with  you  ?" 

"  No  ;  go  on." 

He  was  taken  by  an  ambulance  to  the  field  hospi- 
tal and  died  in  a  few  minutes  after  reaching-  that 
place. 

HJ^NRY  MiTCHELIv, 
Na-au-say  Township,  Kendall  County,  Illinois. 

Born  of  Eng-lish  parents  on  Prince  Edward's 
Island  January  31,  1836.  Came  to  Kendall  county, 
Illinois,  in  1845.  Enlisted  in  Company  K  May,  1861, 
at  the  ag-e  of  twenty-five  years.  Killed  in  the  battle 
of  Raymond  May  12,  1863. 

Henry  Mitchell  was  in  every  sense  a  larg-e,  strong", 
brave  man,  and  was  highly  reg-arded  by  all  such  as 
have  reg-ard  for  what  is  true  and  noble  in  human 
life  and  character.  He  was  scrupulously  correct 
in  all  his  habits.  Never  played  cards,  was  never 
profane  in  speech,  and  never  had  any  use  for  whisky, 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH    II^LINOIS.  45 

tobacco  or  beer.  He  had  five  brothers  in  the  Union 
army,  all  in  Company  C  of  the  7th  Illinois  Regiment, 
namely,  Anthony,  William,  Georg-e,  Robert  and  Sam- 
uel. These  five  in  the  7th  Regiment  and  Henry  in 
the  20th  were  all  in  the  battle  lines  at  Fort  Donelson 
and  Shiloh.  I  do  not  believe  that  there  is  in  the 
whole  rangfe  of  history  another  instance  in  which 
six  brothers  foug-ht  in  the  ranks  of  any  army  in  the 
same  great  battles.  I  have  read  of  Roman  patriot- 
ism and  Grecian  valor,  of  Spartan  mothers  sending 
out  their  sons  to  battle  with  the  injunction  to  come 
back  either  victorious  or  dead,  but  I  have  never  read 
of  anything  that  is  equal  to  the  case  of  the  six  Mitchell 
brothers  in  patriotism,  devotion  and  valor,  all  of 
whom  responded  at  once  to  their  country's  first  call 
for  volunteers. 

Of  these  six  brave  brothers  only  three  now  survive, 
namely — Anthony,  in  Kansas,  and  Robert  and  Sam- 
uel, in  Colorado.  George  was  slain  on  the  second 
day  at  Shiloh.  "  We  were  all  within  six  feet  of 
George  when  he  fell,"  writes  Anthony.  That  is,  the 
other  four  of  the  7th  Regiment ;  and  Henry  was 
close  by  in  the  20th  Regiment.  William  contracted 
disease  in  the  army,  came  home  sick  and  died. 

ROBERT  TAYLOR,  Lisbon,  Illinois. 
Born  in  England.  Came  to  America  when  a  child. 
Enlisted  in  Company  K,  April,  1861,  at  the  age  of 
about  twent3'-three  years.  Shot  through  hip  and 
mortallv  wounded  in  battle  of  Raymond  May  12, 
1863.  Lived  a  few  days  after  the  battle  and  died  in 
extreme  agony.  I  lay  near  him  in  the  hospital.  His 
suifering  was  the  most  terrible  that  I  have  ever  wit- 
nessed. 


46  ROSTER    AND   RECORD. 

WILLIAM  READ,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Was  a  recruit.     I  think  he  came  to  the  Company  in 
1862.     Was    shot  in   head  and    mortally  wounded  in 
battle  of  Raymond,  May  12,  1863.      Lived  a  few  days 
after  the  battle. 

JOHN  WOODRUFF,  Osweg-o,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  in  May,  1861.  Shot  and  mortally  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  Raymond,  May  12,  1863.  Was  shot  in 
leg-  below  the  knee.  Three  different  amputations 
were  performed,  one  below  the  knee  and  two  above, 
but  each  was  followed  by  unfavorable  results.  He 
and  I  were  in  the  same  hospital,  and  not  very  far 
apart.  I  witnessed  the  amputations.  The  patient  in 
all  his  suffering-  exhibited  the  most  incredible  forti- 
tude. He  lived  nearly  three  weeks  and  never  g-roan- 
ed  nor  sig-hed.  At  last  when  informed  that  mortifi- 
cation was  advancing-  and  the  end  was  near,  he  called 
an  attendant,  paid  him  for  extra  service  rendered 
and  then  •  turned  over  to  the  attendant  his  pocket- 
book  and  some  other  personal  effects  to  be  sent  to  his 
sister  at  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa.  This  was  done  with  per- 
fect deliberation.  He  manifested  no  fear  of  death. 
I  remember  him  very  distinctly  in  former  battles. 
He  was  a  very  brave  soldier. 

RICE  BAXTER, 

Na-au-say  Township,  Kendall  County,  Illinois. 
May,  1861-October  13,  1861.  In  a  few  months  after 
being-  discharg-ed  from  Company  K  he  enlisted  in 
another  Reg-iment  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Arkansas  Post,  January  10,  1863.  I  have  been  unable 
to  obtain  any  information  concerning-  Comrade  Bax- 
ter from  any  of  his  relatives,  althoug-h  I  have  made 
persistent  efforts  to  do  so. 


COMPANV  K,   TWEN'tlE'TH  itLlNOIS.  47 

Died  in  the  Service. 


THOMPSON  BRISTOIy,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Enlisted   in   April,    1861,    at   the    ag^e  of    nineteen 
years.     Went  into  camp  at  Joliet,  became  sick,  went 
home  on  furloug-h  and  died  June  16,  1861.     Buried  in 
Milling-ton.     Let  his  grave  be  decorated. 

WIIvIvIAM  ASHTON,  Lisbon,  Illinois. 
Born  of  Eng-lish  parents  in  Delaware  county,  Penn- 
sylvania.    Enlisted  April,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  nearly 
twenty-one  years.     Died  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Missou^ 
ri,  September  2,  1861. 

STEPHEN  JENNINGS,  Newark,  Illinois. 

Born  in  State  of  New  York.  Enlisted  April,  1861, 
at  the  ag-e  of  twenty-five  years.  Died  of  typhoid 
fever  in  hospital  at  Mound  City,  Illinois,  October  15^ 
1861. 

RICHARD  CONNER,  Plattville,  Illinois. 

Born  in  Hunterdon  county.  New  Jersey.  Enlisted 
June  12,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty  years.  Died  of 
measles  in  hospital  at  Mound  City,  Illinois,  Decem- 
ber 23,  1861. 

FRANK    EEHMAN. 
Born  in  Germany.     Enlisted  May,    1861.     Died  at 
Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  January  11,  1862. 

JOHN  R.  McKEAN,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Was   one   of  the   first  to  volunteer  in  April,  1861. 
Had  been  in  the    reg-ular    army  and,  I  think,  for  a 
short  time  in  the  Mexican  war.      Took  a  very  active 


48  ROSTER    AND    RECORD. 

part  in  org-anizing-  the  Company  and  drilling-  the 
boys.  Was  elected  Second  Lieutenant.  A  very  effi- 
cient officer.  Died  at  Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  January 
23,  1862. 

Does  any  comrade   know  anything-  about  Lieuten- 
ant McKean's  burial  ?     If  so,  report  to  me,  please. 

GEORGE  MALLORY,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born  at  Rome,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  Novem- 
ber 10,  1835.  Came  to  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  in 
1838.  Enlisted  April,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty-five 
years.  Died  at  Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  January  28, 
1862. 

WILLIAM  CROWNER. 

Enlisted  in  Maj',  1861.     Died  in  hospital  at  Mound 
City,  March  10,  1862. 

EDWARD  ATKINS,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Enlisted   April,    1861.     Died    at  Newark,    Illinois, 
March  11,  1862,  while  home  on  furloug-h  sick. 

AARON  PAXSON,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  May,  1861.     Died  at  Newark,  Illinois,  May 
4,  1862,  while  home  on  furloug-h  sick. 

WILLIAM  BENNETT, 
Adams  Township,  La  Salle  County,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Eng-land  January  4, 1837.  Enlisted  at  New- 
ark April,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty-four  years.  His 
vitality  was  overtaxed  at  Fort  Donelson.  He  broke 
down  and  never  recovered.  Was  sent  down  the  river 
and  died  in  general  hospital  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
May  5,  1862. 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II,I,INOIS.  49 

AIvBERT  WIIvCOX,  Ivisbon,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  January  21,  1842. 
Enlisted   April,    1861,    at   the    ag-e   of  twenty  years. 
Died  in  hospital  at  St.  L/Ouis,  Missouri,  May  13,  1862. 

OTIS  CHARIvKS,  Bristol  Station,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Bristol  township,  Kendall  county,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  May,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty-five  years. 
Overcome  by  the  strain  at  Fort  Donelson  he  went 
home  on  furloug-h  sick,  and  died  at  his  home  June  1, 
1862. 

WIIvIvIAM  SMITH,  Plattville,  Illinois. 
Born  in    Centre  county,  Pennsylvania.       Enlisted 
May,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of  twenty  years.     Died  atPadu- 
cah,  Kentucky,  Aug-ust   23,  1862,    while   on    detailed 
duty  in  the  Sig-nal  Corps. 

JOSEPH  SPRINGER. 
Born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  February  10, 
1831.  Enlisted  as  a  recruit  in  Company  K  Aug-ust  30, 
1862.  Died  at  I^ake  Providence,  Louisiana,  March 
18,  1863.  Was  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Methodist 
Church.  Belong-ed  to  the  society  org-anized  at  Mill- 
brook,  Kendall  county,  Illinois.  Was  married,  and 
when  he  went  away  to  the  war  left  at  home  a  wife 
and,  three  boys,  whose  respective  ages  were  seven, 
five  and  about  two  and  one-half  years.  His  widow, 
Mrs.  Ann  Spring-er,  now  lives  at  Firth,  Lancaster 
county,  Nebraska,  from  whose  letters  I  make  the  fol- 
lowing extracts:  "I  am  glad  the  survivors  of  Com- 
pany K  are  hunting  up  the  records  of  those  that  never 
returned,  as  well  as  the  records  of  those  who  were 
spared  to  come  back.  1  have  been  weighed  down  and 
almost  crushed  with    sorrow    and   affliction.     I  have 


so  ROSTKR  AND  RECORD. 

never  re-married  and,  of  course,  draw  pension  at  the 
rate  of  twelve  dollars  a  month.  I  have  lived  with  my 
boys,  the  oldest  of  whom  was  taken  away  when  near- 
ly sixteen  years  of  ag-e.  The  other  two  are  still 
spared.  I  had  four  brothers  who  went  out  to  fig^ht 
for  the  dear  old  flag-.  Two  of  them  never  returned. 
One  was  William  Bennett  of  Company  K.  He  re- 
sponded to  the  first  call  and  enlisted  at  Newark,  Illi- 
nois, early  in  the  spring  of  1861.  Another  brother, 
who  was  in  the  artillery  service,  w*as  killed  in  the 
battle  of  Stone  River.  God  bless  the  soldiers  ;  they 
did  a  noble  work ;  they  are  the  saviors  of  the  coun- 
try. If  the  Company  K  Roster  is  published  I  want  a 
copy." 

ALFRED  GRISWOIvD,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Enlisted   April   1861.      Died    at   Berry's   Eanding-, 
Louisiana,  March  20,  1863. 

SUMNER  COOK,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  April,  1861.     Died   at   Vicksburg-,    Missis- 
sippi, of  typhoid  fever,  July  20,  1863. 

GEORGE  SIvEEZER,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Kendall  county.  111.  Enlisted  as  a  recruit 
for  Company  K  September  26,  1864,  at  the  ag-e  of 
eig-hteen  years.  Became  sick  at  Camp  Butler,  near 
Spring-field,  Illinois,  and  died  at  that  place  Novem- 
be  13,  1864,  before  he  reached  the  Company. 

WALTER  EANDON, 
Fox  Township,  Kendall  County,  Illinois. 
Volunteered  as  a  recruit  for  Company  K   October 
3,  1864,  and  died  in  a  short  time    afterward  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  before  reaching-  the  Company. 


COMPANY    K,    TWENTIETH    II.I.INOIS.  51 

GREENBURY  IvEACH,  Ivisbon,  Illinois. 
Born  in  West  Virg-inia.  Enlisted  April,  1861. 
Captured  near  Atlanta,  Georgia,  July  22,  1864.  Con- 
fined in  Confederate  prisons  from  date  of  capture 
until  the  following-  spring-.  Died  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, Virg-inia,  April  30,  1865,  just  after  being-  ex- 
chang-ed  and  while  on  his  way  to  the  north.  Was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  While 
in  the  army  always  attended  whatever  religious  ser- 
vice was  conducted  in  camp.  Was  a  regular  attend- 
ant and  participant  at  regimental  prayer-meetings. 


Died   Since   Date  of  Discharge. 


NELSON  DAYTON,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  April,  1861,  at  the  age   of  eighteen  years. 
Discharged  for  disability  November  27,  1861.      Died 
March  4,  1862,  at  Newark,  Illinois. 

ROBERT  EAWTON. 
May  1861-August  17,  1862.  Born  in  Lancashire, 
England.  Came  to  America  in  1852.  Died  in  Ken- 
dall county,  Illinois,  of  the  disease  for  which  dis- 
charged from  the  army  April  14,  1864,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-five  years,  three  months  and  eight  days. 
Robert  was  a  good  soldier.  I  remember  him  dis- 
tinctly on  the  battlefield  of  Shiloh.  During  the  ter- 
rible fighting  of  the  first  day  he  turned  over  his 
pocket-book  to  a  member  of  the  Company  who  re- 
tired on  account  of  wounds.  He  did  not  want  his 
money  to  be  taken  by  the  rebels  if  he  were  killed  in 
the  fight. 


52  ROSTER   AND  RECORD. 

Comrade  Ivawton's  remains  were  interred  in  the 
little  cemetery  at  Plattville.  The  slab  marble  which 
marks  his  final  resting-  place  has  fallen  down  and  is 
broken.  When  the  flowers  of  May  each  year  come, 
let  patriot  hands  decorate  this  g-rave. 


GIIvBERT  MORTON,  Osweg-o,  Illinois. 
Enlisted  May,  1861.  Mustered  out  July  16,  1865. 
Promoted  to  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of  the  Reg-i- 
ment  at  the  outset  and,  I  think,  held  that  position 
during-  the  entire  war.  After  discharg-e  he  became 
a  railroad  official  and  had  a  hig-hly  successful  career 
for  about  ten  years.  But  evil  days  came,  and  he 
finally  died  by  his  own  hand  at  a  hotel  in  Chicago. 
This  was  about  the  year  1876. 

EONGEN  MERKEI. 
Born  in  1829  at  Danisingan,  Baden,  Germany. 
Went  into  German  army  in  his  youth,  and  was 
thoroughly  trained  as  a  soldier.  Participated  in  ac- 
tive warfare  in  1848-'49.  He  handled  vsword  and  bay- 
onet with  great  dexterity.  Few  men  could  stand  be- 
fore him  with  these  weapons.  After  his  service  in 
the  German  army  he  spent  several  years  as  a  stu- 
dent. Was  a  good  latin  scholar,  and  had  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  French  language.  Pursued  a  course  of 
study  in  surgery  and  medicine  in  a  German  Univers- 
ity, and,  by  members  of  his  profession,  was  consid- 
ered an  expert  anatomist.  Had  been  reared  in  the 
faith  of  the  Catholic  church,  but  became  a  doubter  of 
the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity.  Came  to 
America  in  1860  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  med- 
icine at  Milford  and  Newark.  Was  one  of  the  first 
to  enlist  in  April,  1861.  Served  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Company  for  about  a  year  and  ahalf.      Was  in  the 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II,I,INOlS.  S3 

battles  of  Fredericktown,  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh. 
Was  shot  in  the  foot  at  Shiloh.  Was  a  remarkably 
brave  and  fearless  man.  About  July,  1862,  he  was 
detailed  to  serve  in  a  hospital  at  Jackson,  Tennessee. 
When  neg-ro  soldiers  were  enlisted  he  was  offered  a 
commission  as  assistant  surg-eon  of  a  negro  Reg-i- 
ment,  but  declined  it.  He  continued  on  detailed  du- 
ty and  served  as  a  medical  man  in  various  hospitals 
until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment.  Was 
mustered  out  in  July,  1864.  After  the  war,  located 
at  Bristol,  Illinois,  and  pursued  the  practice  of  med- 
icine. In  his  best  years  he  was  unable  to  control  his 
appetite  for  strong-  drink  and,  as  time  advanced,  his 
appetite  steadily  increased  and  he  became  an  abject 
slave.     He  died  at  Bristol,  Illinois,  Aug-ust  20,  1879. 

GEORGE  WATSON,  Newark,  Illinois. 
I  doubt  whether  any  man  did  as  much  as  Georg-e 
Watson  toward  getting  up  Company  K.  He  was  a 
lawyer  at  Newark,  was  a  democrat,  voted  for  Bell  and 
Everett  in  1860,  and  was  an  enthusiastic  Union  man. 
He  was  a  fluent  off-hand  speaker  and  was  the  main  fig-- 
ure  at  all  the  war  meeting-sin  Newark.  Had  been  in 
Pennsylvania  militia  and  Mexican  war  and  was  a 
g-ood  drill  master.  Was  elected  First  Eieutenant. 
About  the  first  of  June,  1861,  he  withdrew  from  the 
Company  and  joined  Mullig-an's  Reg-iment  in  Chica- 
g-o.  Was  captured  with  that  command  at  Eexing-ton. 
Missouri,  in  1861.  After  this  he  served  on  a  g-unboat 
and,  still  later,  had  a  commission  in  a  Pennsylania 
Cavalry  Regiment.  He  was  gifted  with  talent  of  a 
hig-h  order,  but  an  uncontrollable  appetite  for  intox- 
icating- liquor  barred  all  possibilit}^  of  success  in  life. 
It  caused  his  ruin  and  downfall  and  death.  He  made 
many    spasmodic    attempts    at   reformation,    and   at 


54  ROSTER   AND    RRCORD. 

these  times  was  a  successful  temperance  talker.  But 
all  his  efforts  at  reform  ended  in  failure.  From  the 
United  States  Soldiers'  Home  at  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, I  have  received  this  :  "  The  records  show  that 
Georg-e  W.  Watson  served  in  Company  K,  20th  Illi- 
nois Infantry  ;  Company  K,  23d  Illinois  Infantry  ; 
Company  F,  2d  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  in  U.  S. 
Navy.  He  was  admitted  here  December  15,  1877,  and 
was  killed  by  a  railroad  train  in  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, at  about  3  o'clock  p.  m.,  Aug-ust  21,  1879." 

FAYETTE  SCOFIElvD,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born  in  DuPag-e  county,  Illinois,  January  25,  1847. 
Enlisted  as  a  recruit  for  Company  K  February  25, 
1864.     Discharg-ed  July  16,  1865.     Killed  in  a  railroad 
wreck  in  Missouri  February  17,  1881. 

AMON  HEACOX,  Eisbon,  Illinois. 
•Born  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  June  6,  1817. 
Enlisted  in  Company  K,  May,  1861,  at  the  ag-e  of 
forty-four  years.  Mustered  out  July  14,  1864.  Was 
the  oldest  man  in  the  Company.  I  have  been  inform- 
ed that  he  was  slightly  wounded  at  Britton's  Eane, 
but  I  have  no  recollection  of  it.  I  remember  him 
very  distinctly  at  Fort  Donelson.  He  was  a  g-ood 
man  and  a  good  soldier.  Was  a  member  of  M.  E. 
church.  Was  one  of  six,  many  years  ago,  to  organize 
a  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Eisbon,  Illinois, 
He  died  in  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Quincy,  Illinois, 
April  23,  1889,  in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age. 
Is  interred  in  the  cemetery  at  Eisbon. 

HENRY  HAVENHIEE,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born    in   EaSalle    county,    Illinois,    June  17,  1842. 
Enlisted  April,  1861.     Discharged  for  disability  April 


COMPANY  K,   TWENTIETH  ILLINOIS.  55 

27,    1862.     Died   in   Chicag-o,    Illinois,    of     paralysis, 
June,  1889. 

FRANCIS  CROWEIvIv,  Newark,  Illinois. 
Born  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York.  Enlisted 
April,  1861,  at  the  age  of  eig^hteen  years.  Was 
wounded  in  the  Georg-ia  canipaig-n  July,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  July  16,  1865.  Died  at  Waterman,  Illinois, 
of  a  complication  of  diseases,  September  17,  1889. 
The  address  of  his  widow  is  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Crowell, 
Waterman,  Illinois. 

THOMAS  GARNER. 

April,  1861-July  14,  1864.  Born  in  England.  Had 
been  a  British  soldier,  and  saw  active  service  in  the 
Crimean  war.  Deserted  from  the  British  army. 
Captured  and  branded  with  letter  D.  Deserted  again 
in  Canada  and  succeeded  in  escaping  to  the  United 
States. 

Thomas  Garner  was  one  of  the  best  marchers  and 
fighters  in  the  Union  army.  He  was  always  at  his 
post.  Never  straggled  from  the  ranks  and  never 
failed  because  of  sore  feet  or  anything  else.  When- 
ever there  was  fighting  on  hand  Tom  was  in  it.  His 
great  failing  we  all  know,  but,  notwithstanding 
that,  he  was  the  best  beloved  man  in  Company  K. 
Some  years  after  the  war  he  went  back  to  England 
and,  in  time,  returned  again  to  the  United  States. 
Soon  after  his  return  he  walked  from  Buffalo,  New 
York,  to  Morris,  Illinois,  and  then  came  to  Newark 
and  Sheridan  looking  for  Company  K  folks.  He 
found  none  and  went  away  very  despondent.  These 
facts  I  learned  from  his  friends  in  Morris.  I  have 
received  a  communication  from  the  Pension  Agent 
at  Buffalo,  New  York,  which  informs  me  that  Thomas 
Garner,  Company  K,  20th  Illinois  Regiment,  was  on 


56  ROSTKR    AND    RECORD. 

the  rolls  of  that  ag-ency  as  a  pensioner  at  the  rate  of 
six  dollars  a  month,  and  that  he  died  during-  the  year 
1892.  He  drew  pension  to  July  4  of  that  year.  His 
address  at  that  time  was  No.  58  Commercial  Street, 
Buffalo,  New  York.  This  is  the  most  definite  infor- 
mation I  have  succeeded  in  obtaining-. 

V/IIvIvIAM  MINARD,  Osweg-o,  Illinois. 
Born  at  Walbrough,  Ulster  county,  New  York, 
September  26,  1840.  E^nlisted  May,  1861.  Became 
Commissary  Serg-eant  of  the  Reg-iment.  Mustered 
out  July  14,  1864.  Died  at  Chicag-o,  Illinois,  of  dis- 
ease of  kidneys,  January  10,  1894.  Interred  at  Grace- 
land. 

GEORGK  CONNE^IvIvY. 
May,  1861-September  8,  1862.  Born  in  Ireland. 
Had  been  a  soldier  in  the  regular  army.  Was  a 
brave  man.  "Was  wounded  at  Shiloh.  Was  discharg-- 
ed  on  account  of  wound  and  pensioned  therefor.  He 
is  now  dead.     Date  of  death  not  ascertained. 

JAMES  HAGARDORN. 
Enlisted  at  Joliet  in  May,  1861,  and,  I  think,  served 
about  a  year  and  a  half.  Was  discharg-ed  for  dis- 
ability and  became  a  pensioner.  After  the  war  lived 
in  State  of  New  York.  Is  now  dead.  Date  of  death 
not  ascertained. 

JAMES  I.ORD. 
May,  1861-March  5,  1863.  Was  an  actor.  Came  to 
Newark,  Illinois,  in  the  spring-  of  1861  with  a  theatri- 
cal troupe  and  there  enlisted  in  Company  K*.  He 
was  a  very  intelligent  man  and  a  good  soldier.  Was 
wounded  at  Fort  Donelson.     Was  discharged  for  dis- 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II,I,INOIS.  57 

ability    and    became    a   pensioner.     He  is  now  dead. 
Date  of  death  not  ascertained. 


RAIvPH  PRATT. 

May,  1861-November  27,  1861.  Discharged  for  dis- 
ability. Became  a  pensioner.  Is  now  dead.  Date 
of  death  not  ascertained. 


REMARKS, 


The  names  of  those  who  served  thirty  days  with 
Company  K  in  the  State  service  but  who  declined  to 
join  the  Company  for  three  years  in  the  United  States 
service  do  not  appear  in  this  roster  ;  neither  do  the 
names  of  drafted  men  and  substitutes  who  were  as- 
sig-ned  to  the  Company  during  the  last  few  months 
of  the  war. 

The  dates  after  a  name  indicate  the  time  when  the 
soldier  first  volunteered  and  the  time  when  he  was 
mustered  out  or  discharged.  Those  who  did  not  en- 
list for  a  second  term  of  three  years  were  nearlj-  all 
mustered  out  July  14,  1864.  Those  who  re-enlisted 
were  mustered  out  July  16,  1865,  on  account  of  the 
close  of  the  war.  Those  discharged  at  other  dates 
were  discharged  for  disability  resulting  from  wounds 
or  sickness. 

The  names  of  108  Company  K  men  are  herein  giv- 
en ;  56  are  living,  52  are  dead.  4  are  missing  ;  of 
these  four  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  any  infor- 
mation whatever.  I  know  not  whether  they  are  liv- 
ing or  dead. 


58  ROSTER   AND  RECORD. 

Of  the  56  men  living,  41  receive  pensions  ;  7  receive 
no  pension.  In  regard  to  the  others,  it  is  not  ascer- 
tained whether  they  are  pensioners  or  not.  32  re- 
ceive pensions  for  disabilities  incurred  in  the  army  ; 
9  for  disabilities  not  incurred  in  the  army. 

Of  the  56  men  here  reported  as  living,  23  at  least 
were  wounded  in  battle  ;  13  draw  pension  for  wounds. 

Eight  Company  K  men  were  buried  at  Raytnond — 
Shoger,  Barrows,  Waters  and  Mitchell  were  buried  in 
the  same  grave  with  others  of  the  Regiment  on  the 
battlefield,  near  the  rail  fence,  Adams  was  buried 
near  the  field  hospital.  Taylor,  Reed  and  Woodruff 
were  buried  in  the  graveyard  near  the  town.  Crel- 
len  and  Wann  were  buried  on  the  battlefield  of  Shi- 
loh.     None  of  these  graves  are  now  marked  or  known. 

For  courtesy,  and  for  information  furnished  to  as- 
sist me  in  tracing  lost  members  of  Company  K,  I  am 
under  special  obligations  to  the  Hon.  Wii,i<iam  L/OCH- 
REN,  Commissioner  of  Pensions,  Washington,  D.  Co 
I  also  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  many  post- 
masters, to  newspaper  editors,  to  pension  agents  and 
others. 

If  any  Company  K  man  dies  or  changes  his  place 
of  residence  I  desire  to  be  informed  of  the  fact.  In 
this  way  we  will  know  where  every  man  of  the  Com- 
pany is  located.     Remember,  please. 

A  more  lengthy  sketch  is  given  of  some  Comrades 
than  of  others.  The  reason  is  I  have  had  more  in- 
formation in  regard  to  some  than  in  regard  to  others. 
In  many  cases  what  is  said  about  each  one  of  the 
living  is  his  own  letter  to  me  re-cast  and  abridged. 
I  have  not  intentionally  slighted  or  misrepresented 
any.  I  may  have  made  errors.  If  so,  I  hope  they 
are  few  and  aaot  of  a  grievous  nature. 


COMPANY   K,    TWENTIETH   II.EINOIS.  59 


A  BIT  OF  HISTORY. 


When  the  news  of  the  President's  first  call  for  vol- 
unteers reached  Newark  the  people  were  wild  with 
excitement.  "That  night,"  writes  Dr.  Dyer,  "I 
could  not  sleep.  The  next  morning  I  was  out  very- 
early.  I  went  into  Fowler's  drug  store  and  there 
with  pen  and  ink  drew  up  a  company  muster-roll  and 
signed  it,  and  united  with  others  in  calling  a  war 
meeting  for  that  evening.  I  was  called  to  make  a 
long  ride  in  the  country  and  upon  my  return  found 
five  names  on  the  muster-roll  in  addition  to  my  own. 
I  wish  I  had  that  paper  now."  This  was  the  begin- 
ning of  our  Company.  Volunteers  continued  to  come 
forward  and  in  a  few  days  the  requisite  number  had 
signed  the  roll.  April  24, 1861,  is  on  record  as  the  date 
of  our  Company  organization.  We  were  not  accept- 
ed under  the  President's  call  and  were  sorely  disap- 
pointed. However,  most  of  the  boys  continued  to 
meet  in  Newark  and  were  drilled  by  Lieutenants 
Watson  and  McKean.  On  May  11,  1861,  our  Com- 
pany left  Newark  for  Joliet  and  went  into  camp. 
The  20th  Illinois  Regiment  was  there  organized  and 
the  Kendall  county  boys  became  Company  K  of  that 
organization.  After  that  the  history  of  the  Company 
became  part  of  the  history  cf  the  Regiment.  June 
13,  1861,  we  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  ser- 
vice for  three  years,  if  not  sooner  discharged.  About 
the  17th  of  June  we  took  the  cars  for  the  South. 
Stopped  three  weeks  at  Alton,  Illinois,  and  drilled 
constantly.     Early  ijji  July  we  went  into  camp   for  a 


60     .  ROSTER   AND   RECORD. 

short  time  in  the  United  States  Arsenal  at  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  and  were  here  armed  with  Enfield  rifles 
and  received  new  blue  uniforms.  We  now  had  a  very 
extravag-ant  opinion  of  ourselves,  of  our  fighting 
qualities  in  particular,  and  did  not  take  the  least 
pains  to  conceal  that  opinion  from  others.  This  is 
what  a  St.  lyouis  paper  said  of  us  : 

ARRIVAL  OF  COLONEL  MARSH'S  REGIMENT   FROM 
ALTON. 

At  II  o'clock  a.  m.,  of  Saturday,  the  steamer,  "  City  of  Alton," 
from  Alton,  landed  at  the  Arsenal  the  Twentieth  Illinois  Regiment, 
Colonel  C.  C.  Marsh  commanding.  The  boat  brought  also  the  en- 
tire camp  equipage  and  stores  of  the  Regiment.  The  spontaneous 
greeting  tendered  by  our  Missouri  soldiers  was  hearty  and  enthusi- 
astic. Cheers  upon  cheers  of  welcome  rent  the  air  and  were  respond- 
ed to  by  the  Illinoisans  in  magnificent  style.  The  guests  were  as- 
signed the  western  lawn  of  the  Arsenal  grounds  for  their  camping 
site.  Tents  were  speedily  pitched,  baggage  distributed,  and  the  new- 
ly arrived  volunteers  were  soon  perfectly  at  home.  They  are  aching 
for  active  service  wherever  desired,  and,  we  understand,  are  already 
under  orders  for  "a  forward  movement."  Other  Regiments  in  Illi- 
nois are  also  in  eager  anticipation  of  lively  "business  "  in  Missouri 
or  Arkansas. 

Colonel  Marsh's  Regiment  is  evidently  in  first-class  condition  and 
consists  of  strikingly  vigorous  and  hardy  men.  They  are  brim  full  of 
health  and  energy  and  fun.  The  Regiment  numbers  nine  hundred 
and  sixty-one  men  rank  and  file.    Success  and  joy  to  them. 

We  left  the  Arsenal  in  a  few  days  and  for  six 
months  were  engaged  in  "  business  "  in  southeast 
Missouri.  On  October  21  we  met  the  Confederates  in 
force,  under  Jeff.  Thompson,  at  Fredericktown  and 
succeeded  in  thoroughly  convincing  them  that  they 
were  whipped. 

February  6,  1862,  we  entered  Fort  Henry  and  ten 
days  later  marched  in  triumph  into  Fort  Donelson. 
April  6  and  7  we  had  position  in  the  Union  lines  at 
Shiloh  and  after  that  took  a  hand  in  the  siege  of 
Corinth.      September  1  were   engaged  in  the  sharp 


COMPANY   K,   TWENTIETH   ILLINOIS.  61 

little  battle  of  Britton's  Lane.  In  the  winter  of 
1862-3  were  in  the  campaig-n  in  the  mud  in  northern 
Mississippi.  Were  at  Oxford  when  General  Van- 
Dorn  took  Holly  Spring-s  and  burned  our  supplies. 
In  the  spring-  and  summer  of  1863  we  participated  in 
all  the  battles  of  the  Vicksburg-  campaign  and  in  the 
sieg-e  of  that  strong-hold. 

Were  out  on  the  Meridian  expedition  for  twenty- 
nine  days  in  the  month  of  February,  1864,  without 
tents  or  other  protection  from  the  elements  except 
what  every  man  carried  on  his  back. 

In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1864  were  in  the 
Georg-ia  campaign  and  siege  of  Atlanta.  In  the  fall 
went  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea. 

In  1865  was  in  the  campaign  in  the  Carolinas  and 
marched  through  Virginia  to  Washington  after  the 
Confederate  armies  had  surrendered. 

On  the  16th  of  July,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
the  Twentieth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infan- 
try was  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service 
and  disbanded,  and  the  boys  went  home. 


62  ROSTER    AND   RECORD. 


INDEX, 


PAGE 

Adams,  Benjamin 44 

Adams,  Georg-e 40 

Anderson 6 

Ashton 47 

Atkins 48 

Bacon 6 

Barnard 39 

Barrows,  David 43 

Barrows,  James 6 

Baxter 46 

Bennett 48 

Bishop 34 

Bissell 7 

Boyer 4 

Bristol 47 

Broad 33 

Brown 7 

Carey 8 

Charles 49 

Clayton 9 

Clifford 9 

Connelly 56 

Conner,  Richard 47 

Conner,  Anderson 10 

Conner,  Ivambert 38 

Constantine 40 

Cook 50 

Crellen 42 

Crowell 55 

Crowner 48 

Coyle 10 

Dann 11 

Dayton 51 

Dyer 3 


COMPANY   K,   TWENTIETH   II,I,INOIS.  63 

PAGE 

Favreau 12 

Garner 55 

Gay 36 

Griswold 50 

Gray   12 

Hagerdorn , 56 

Hag-erman 13 

Hall 39 

Hanson 13 

Havenhill,  Marshall 13 

Havenhill,  Henry 54 

Heacox 54 

Hopg-ood,  Thomas 33 

Hopg-ood,  Georg-e 13 

Howes 14 

Hutton 14 

Jenning-s,  Stephen. 47 

Jenning-s,  James 16 

Kilmer 16 

I^andon 50 

Ivawton 51 

Leach,  Greenbury 51 

Leach,  John 17 

Lehman 47 

Little  wood 17 

Lord 56 

Mallory 48 

McKean • 47 

Merkli 52 

Minard 56 

Mintz 40 

Mitchell 44 

Morton,  Marcus 43 

Morton,  Gilbert 52 

Mullenix 18 

Olin 3 

Paxson 48 

Pepoon 41 

Pierson 18 

Pratt 57 

Prentice 20 

Preston,  William 21 

Preston,  Luman 39 

Pruy  n 21 


64  ROSTER   AND   RECORD. 

PAGE 

Read 46 

Remillard 21 

Rockwood 22 

Scofield 54 

Shog-er 43 

Sleezer 50 

Smith 49 

Spellman 5 

Spencer 22 

Spring-er,  Richard 22 

Spring-er,  James 38 

Spring-er,  Joseph 49 

Taylor,  Robert 45 

Taylor,  John 23 

Todd 24 

Trenter 26 

Vreeland 26 

Wallace 26 

Wann 42 

Waters 43 

Watson. 53 

West 27 

White 28 

Wilcox 49 

Wilsey 28 

Wilson,  Andrew 41 

Wilson,  DeWitt 29 

Wilson,  George 30 

Woodruff 46 

Wrig-ht 31 

Preface 2 

Remarks 57 

A  Bit  of  History 59